Wild dogs - Jan 2011

[Craig Jackson]

 

Having moved to Norway almost a year ago to start working on my PhD, it was great to return to the NTGR recently for a couple of days. We were lucky enough to catch up with the wild dogs. We found the pack resting on the shady banks of the Majale River in the late afternoon. As the sun neared the horizon, the dogs lazily got up and had a drink of water. They then proceeded along the riverbed for a short distance, after which they scaled the river bank, heading south.

 

Their efficient hunting skills were once again apparent: by the time we got out of the riverbed and caught up with them (less than a minute later), they were already feeding on a young impala. There are plenty of baby impala around at present, so the reserve’s carnivores are well fed.

 

The pack numbers only four animals at present. The main reason for this is that last years pups all died shortly after birth (we are not sure why). In the subsequent months, five males dispersed in one dispersal event and with a few mortalities and/or dispersers leaving thereafter, the pack quickly dropped in number. Wild dogs breed once a year and this will probably be round about the end of May or early June. So now we have to wait and see what happens this year. Fortunately the original alpha pair, Namib and Cairo, are still heading up the pack so we know we have an experienced breeding pair. Cairo, however, may well wish she had a better selection of males to choose from… Namib has never been a pretty specimen, but he is even uglier now. His teeth are not what they should be and even the best dentist would probably be of unable to help the old fellow.

 

The pack spent much of 2010 in the far south-western parts of the reserve and the adjoining properties. Since December 2010 until earlier this month, the pack shifted back towards the central parts of the NTGR. It will be interesting to observe their ranging behaviour in the next few months as this may give us some indication of where they will den this year. In 2008 and 2009 the den was located near Pont Drift, but last year they denned about 25km south west from the original den. It is vital that they successfully raise pups this year. Nearly three years after release, this is by far the smallest the has ever been, and the pack's persistence depends on them successfully raising some young.

The wild dogs movements during Dec 2010 and early Jan 2011 are indicated by the red GPS spots.

[Walter Tingle]

Dear Stuart Murray, Some of the dogs from Tuli Game Reserve wandered over to Limpopo-Lipadi Game and Wilderness Reserve last September, 2010. They joined a newly formed pack there that had been raised from pups and released to the 32500 hectare private reserve. They deposed the leader of that pack,killed several new pups and at least one adult,and took over the pack. They were hunting successfully when I last saw them a few months back.

[Stuart Murray]

Graeat to get the latest update. Will any of the dogs hat have wandered of be able to form a new pack?  My daughte-in-law brushes her cat's teeth regularly so I'll send you a toothbrush and you can get busy!  Best wishes for 2011.

[nancy]

Any idea why his mouth would be in such terrible condition?  I'm glad to hear that the original pair is still around since their numbers are so low.  It would be real shame if they all disappeared.

[Fred van der Neut]

Hey Craig - I am delighted to see you had a chance to get back to the Tuli Game Reserve to check out the wild dogs.  Thanks for the report - fabulous to see that the few dogs that are left in the pack are doing well.  Needless to say at this time of year there is plenty of young impala for them to eat.  Looking at your photos, I see what you mean about Namib - he is rather tattered looking.  Should he sire a few pubs hopefully they will take after there mother in the looks department but maybe his longevity and prowess in that department.

 

Cheers and all the best - Fred.