Sightings of African wild dogs are a rare treat. Seeing them with their puppies makes the occasion all the more special.
Mark Fox of Exploring Kruger Safaris submitted this fun-filled footage to Latest Sightings. He filmed it while visiting South Africa’s Kruger National Park.
Endangered carnivore sighting
In Mark’s video, we join him on his game drive as a female African wild dog emerges from the surrounding bush. As one of Africa’s most endangered carnivores, he is very fortunate to see even one.
Her swollen belly tells us that she has either recently fed, is pregnant, or has recently given birth.
Tracking collar
Subsequently, a puppy, just a few weeks old, emerges behind her. As it does, she turns, revealing that she is wearing a tracking collar.
This indicates she is probably the pack’s alpha female. As the most stable pack member, she is monitored by scientists for conservation and research purposes.
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A large litter follows
Consequently, several more puppies come bustling up behind Mom. Wild dogs give birth to large litters of up to sixteen pups at a fixed den site.
As social creatures, all pack members play a part in raising the pups.
Momma’s gone a-hunting
Subsequently, the pups suddenly rush back where they came from. Somehow, Mom has given them the signal that she is about to go hunting with other adults.
Accordingly, in the next scene, we see the pups in the care of the day’s appointed babysitter.
And, with Mom away, it soon becomes evident that the pups are in the mood for mischief.
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Babysitting duties
Consequently, any thoughts the babysitter had of a restful morning are soon dashed when one of the puppies finds something the rest of the litter suddenly wants for themselves.
Dutifully, the adult gets up to ensure they’re all safe. Firstly, she must ensure that they don’t venture too far from the den.
And, if any of them get too boisterous, she must be there to enforce discipline with a quick nip.
When everything settles, she sniffs around for scraps while looking forward to the pack’s return with a more substantial meal.
Instincts coming through
As the pups play, we see the same behaviour adults use when feeding. To quickly break apart carcasses, pack members pull from opposite directions.
And, as the pups tug at a piece of hide, it seems they instinctively know how to work together.
By working together, wild dogs have been recorded killing prey as large as Cape buffalos. In fact, they enjoy one of the highest hunting success rates of any predator.
In time, each of these pups will fulfill a vital role in the survival of the pack and the species as a whole.
