Klipspringers versus wild dog pack – who will win? While it would seem the wild dogs would be the obvious winners in a confrontation between the two species, this was not the case in a memorable sighting by rangers from the Mala Mala Game Reserve.
The team of rangers were privileged to enjoy an edge-of-seat viewing experience at the reserve, when a large pack of tenacious wild dogs tried to hunt down three demure klipspringers.
The determining factor which gave the klipspringers the victory was a rocky cliff face, which they miraculously stood still on, without falling, while the wild dogs tried to approach them – with no success.
Young wild dogs chase buck up rocky outcrop
Guide Gareth van Rooyen related how a large pack of wild dogs, comprising 21 members, had taken residence in the reserve. On this particular day, they were settling down in the Mlowathi River, north of its confluence with the Sand River.
Said Gareth: “Rangers had sighted the dogs on an afternoon safari, probably on the hunt for something to eat – as it is not uncommon for wild dogs to hunt twice a day. “
They watched as the wild dogs sighted three klipspringers and made chase in hope of a kill. The klipspringers knew exactly what to do in the event of a threat. They headed straight for the rocks. If there was going to be a confrontation, it would be on their terms.
“They (the wild dogs) cornered these poor victims on these massive rocks,” says Gareth. “One of the rangers who was filming, Michael Botes, has actually witnessed these very same klipspringers go through the same ordeal with a different pack of wild dogs before! Steff McWilliam was also filming in the sighting and both of these guides could not believe what was happening!”
Klipspringers cling to the rock away from danger
Klipspringers have unique hooves that are cylindrical and point downwards, allowing them to walk on tippy-toe and to move nimbly across any rocky terrain.
For this reason, predators which successfully ambush them are those which are capable of ambushing and chasing them on rugged slopes, including leopards and caracals. They are also vulnerable to aerial attacks from black eagles.
These wild dogs didn’t quite make the cut. Gareth explained it was also the younger wild dogs which went after the small buck. Perhaps the older members of the pack realised that the edge of a rocky cliff, while suitable for a klipspringer, was not easy ground for a wild dog.
Demure trio of klipspringers evade wild dog attack
Gareth and his team witnessed first-hand the power that the specialized hooves of klipspringers have in helping them to overcome threats. Despite the threats the species faces, these resilient creatures thrive in their mountainous habitats.
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He said that what made the sighting unbelievable was the fact that wild dogs are not known to be climbers of any sort. “Their paws are not at all designed for what we witnessed here! The fact that the dogs did not slip or fall is incredible in itself.”
The wild dogs did give it their best shot though. They edged forward, so close to the klipspringers who stood like statues at the edge of the rocky cliff, that the klipspringers must have been able to smell their breath.
However, they didn’t succeed in reaching their intended prey and eventually lost interest and moved on.
Gareth shared how later they eventually were successful when they hunted down an impala.