In this tense footage, a large pack of African wild dogs zero in on a warthog family. When the pigs lose their nerve, the chase is on. Lee Whittam sent this footage to Latest Sightings.
Watch the video here:
Ominous beginning
Lee’s video begins on an ominous note. A large pack of African wild dogs stalks across a barren plain.
With their heads held low and large ears flattened, they slowly make their way towards a family of warthogs. What stands out about their approach is that there is no cover to hide their advance.
A broad coalition
The dogs approach in a seemingly haphazard manner. While some stay together, others spread out to form a broad front.
However, there is method in the madness. While the main group will form the main chase party, the others will act as blockers to keep the chase contained.
Meanwhile, the male warthog raises his head as he spots the approaching pack. Weighing up to 80 kilograms, warthogs are a key prey species for the dogs.
Panic vs patience
As the pack gets closer, one of the warthogs gets antsy and, in the process, separates itself from the others. Still, the dogs keep their cool.
They know there’s no sense in spooking the pigs too soon. The closer they get, the higher their chances of success in hunting.
While the lead dogs get ever closer, more dogs join from behind. Wild dogs are cooperative endurance hunters, with each member of the pack having a defined role in the hunt. Working together, they use their incredible stamina to run their prey to exhaustion.
A sad sight
As the pack moves into the distance, yet another dog comes into view. Keenly watching its pack mates, we soon realise why it is so far behind.
Doing its best to keep up, we notice that it has a broken front right leg. Considering how rare these animals are, it’s heartbreaking to see it struggling to keep up with its comrades.
Nevertheless, it is comforting to know that, as long as he can keep up, his pack will count him as one of their own. Wild dogs frequently regurgitate meat to feed ailing pack members.
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The chase is on
Meanwhile, up ahead, the pigs lose their nerve when the dogs encroach on their comfort zone. As they bolt, the dogs break into a run.
Having let the dogs get so close, the hogs are now in serious trouble. Not only are the dogs capable of higher speeds, but they can also outdistance all but a few animals on the African plains.
While the pack corrals the pigs, it is heartening to see the injured dog moving into position to block a possible escape route. Despite his injury, he instinctively wants to help his pack.
Closing in
Meanwhile, up ahead, the pack encircles the desperately fleeing warthogs. And, whether they know it or not, they have every reason to be fearful.
From a human perspective, the killing method of wild dogs is brutal. When tackling warthogs, one or two dogs will bite the snout, preventing flight. Once secured, the rest of the pack moves in to tear the poor pig to pieces.
As such, it may come as a relief to some that the video ends before that happens. However, if we were to hazard a guess, the outcome almost certainly favoured the dogs.