The Wild African Dogs

Efforts to conserve the African wild dog are underway, as this species is both Africa's most efficient hunter and Southern Africa's most rare large carnivore. The African Wildlife Conservation Fund (AWCF) is one organization working to ensure the survival of the African wild dog. In the Sa Valley Conservancy, three wild dog packs are being monitored: splinters pack, mapura pack, and pungu pack. The pungu pack, the newest of the three, is preparing for its first litter, with a 2-year-old male named Otis pairing up with Ura. The pack has moved outside of the Conservancy for the Denning season, and efforts are being made to check on their well-being. The camera is placed to capture the movement of the pack between dens, and challenges are faced in tracking the pack during the evening hunt. 15 healthy pups are being fed by excited mothers, likely a combination of litters from both Loop and Jigsaw. The pups are about 3.5 weeks old, still exclusively drinking milk, and will start eating meat around 5 weeks old. The pups are now starting to eat meat after weeks of suckling, and they rely on two lactating females for feeding. A filming strategy using motorbikes to follow the pack during hunts is being employed. Wild dogs suffocate prey by going for the throat, similar to big cats such as lions, leopards, and cheetahs. Puppies are given preference during feeding, with adults getting chased away from the carcass. Coloring dogs helps track packs for conservation and protection purposes, and collars provide GPS info to locate packs and monitor for snares and poaching. Identifying dogs by coat markings and taking photos helps reunite packs in case of separation.

Puppies are curious and love investigating new things and exploring by picking up, biting, and carrying objects in their mouths. Puppies exhibit no fear of humans or motorbikes, demonstrating curiosity and acceptance. The use of motorbikes to track dogs during hunts is effective. These puppies are very accustomed to researchers and filming, which facilitates the filming process. As evening approaches, the team captures the dogs during the golden hour, highlighting their hunting dynamics. Wild dogs come across an Eland near water. The Eland seems nervous, but the dogs initially show little interest. The dogs corner the Eland near water, showcasing the size difference and potential threats. Observing wild dogs as they prepare for a hunt. Rosemary alerts the camera team about Splinter's pack heading east for a hunt. Kane locates the pack to join them in hunting larger prey. African wild dogs are efficient hunters and are making a comeback from near extinction. The African Wildlife Conservation Fund is working to ensure the survival of African wild dogs. Their efforts have resulted in population growth and a resurgence from near extinction. Wild dogs chase Impala but are unsuccessful. Pungi is in Striking Distance and is educating local children about conservation. The camera crew gets stuck in a muddy rescue. Training on the use of Telemetry equipment and bush behavior. Students practice finding hidden dog collars, acting as real animals for behavioral training. Learners are taught to behave correctly in the bush and to listen to signals closely. Tracking and observing the pungu pack in the Conservancy. Jess follows up on a recent sighting of the pungu pack. The playful behavior of the pups, and the adults heading off to hunt in the evening. Pups are becoming braver and testing boundaries. Feeding pups is challenging their mother for extra food. Dogs will not leave anything from the carcass except when disturbed. Preparing to dart a lion for collar removal and tracking. Using slightly bigger needles for lions due to thicker skin.

The alpha female in the pack is expecting another litter, a rare occurrence as she already had one earlier this year. This event is unprecedented in the history of the project, making it both exciting and intriguing for the team. An unusual denning event in November, Splinters' pregnancy outside the normal denning season is a rare phenomenon that necessitates close monitoring. Neil and Kane rescued a baby zebra trapped in mud due to human activity. The wild dogs in the Conservancy are facing issues with snares, with the alpha female currently missing. Two dogs were found with snares, one of which is loose but under close observation. A young male has a severe snare on its foot, making it a priority to monitor his condition and plan for snare removal. The team discussed the challenges encountered by wild dogs, emphasizing the importance of monitoring for snares and expressing concern for the missing alpha females. The Pungi pack successfully hunted and brought down an adult male impala. The puppies were active in the 20 minutes leading up to the hunt, and the pack reached impressive speeds of up to 55 mph during the chase. The team patiently waits for the lioness to appear and dart her, using meat as bait to attract her safely. Lionesses are blindfolded for protection during the darting process, followed by tests for disease screening and genetics. After a successful collar removal and reintroduction to the pride, the female lion is in excellent condition, with samples taken for further analysis. Reunited with her pride mate, the team ensures a successful recovery and potential future data collection. Joining a hunting party on motorbikes, we are accepted as part of the pack and film their hunt in the Acacia scrubland. Rosemary encounters the conservancy's rarest large carnivore, the Pungu, in the corner of the Wilder Beast. The breeding season has commenced, and the pack is on the prowl for Impala.

The African wild dog is making a remarkable comeback from the brink of local extinction, thanks to efforts from organizations like the African Wildlife Conservation Fund. Cheetahs remain vulnerable to the illegal pet trade. Studies indicate that 5 out of 6 cubs do not survive during transit. Initiatives are being taken to breed and boost the population of the valley. The den activity of a pack of dogs is being monitored actively. Camera traps are being utilized to observe den activity without causing any disturbance. The presence of pups and a distinct smell confirms that the den is still active. The pack retreats, allowing the voer beast to escape luckily. After the chase, the pack finds a secluded water hole to cool off. Jess is observing the survival and growth of the pack's pups. The AWCF team is closely monitoring the survival of the pack. Neil joins Pungu for an evening hunt. Rosemary is removing snares from the Mapura pack. The dogs exhibit remarkable resilience and social structure. Despite a severe injury, the injured dog displayed incredible resilience with the support of the pack. The team's prompt and effective response prevented further suffering and danger to the dog's life. The safe removal of the snare from the wild dog was done swiftly by the team. Snaring is indiscriminate and causes harm to non-target species, resulting in severe suffering for wild dogs. Wild dogs engage in long hunts to chase down prey. They pursue prey through different terrains, while the herd tries to deter them. A pack of 30 wild dogs overwhelms their prey, leading to a tiring yet successful hunt. Measures are being taken to enhance wildlife-friendly exits from water troughs by adding rocks to create escape routes for animals trapped in the troughs. Man-made water holes are being modified to prevent future accidents. The puppies show interest and a bit of caution towards the new car toy. Over time, they become bold and curious, interacting with the toy in various ways. Jess is monitoring the recovery of endangered species after the removal of snares. She meets with the Mapor pack to check on Boka and Amber after their snares have been removed to ensure their well-being.

The thorough monitoring allows for early detection of dogs caught in snares, removal of the snares, and observation of the dogs' recovery. A new world record was set by a high-speed chase involving wild dogs. The African wild dog, known as Africa's most effective hunter, has a rare population of approximately 6,500 individuals or 660 packs. Organizations such as the African Wildlife Conservation Fund are working to help the wild dogs recover from local extinction. The first-ever darting of a severely injured baboon took place, followed by the baboon being enclosed in a garage area with wire mesh for safety. Concerns about potential drug reactions and disease transmission due to the primate nature were present. The animal's wounds were successfully treated with minimal intervention, and it was given space to recover. The animal showed remarkable progress and returned to eating. An encounter between a cheetah and a wild dog occurred in the wild. Both cheetahs and wild dogs are low-ranked animals in the large carnivore pecking order. The encounter was civil, with some snarling and growling, but both parties respected each other. The thick vegetation around the den provides both advantages and vulnerabilities. The vegetation and the unique smell of dogs muffle sound and hide locations but may attract dangerous predators like lions. One or two dogs around the periphery may be acting as lookouts to alert the rest of the pack. The dogs successfully hunted a Wildebeest, ensuring a meal for the pack.

The dogs separated and caught a Wildebeest youngster, facing a brief struggle with an adult Wildebeest. The pups have matured and now feed as a pack in a 'first come, first serve' manner. Blood is being taken for genetic analyses and to check parasite levels and disease presence. The dog's physical condition is being measured, and signs of independent movement are being awaited before administering an antidote and penicillin. The use of intramuscular injection may lead to better recovery for dogs with ketamine in their system. Fitting tracking collars on young male dogs can help monitor their movements and discover newly formed packs. The Wild Dog team is currently engaged in discussions regarding the hunting patterns and tactics they have observed during their filming sessions. Dogs have proven to be highly efficient in killing animals within a short period. Typically, dogs can kill their prey swiftly, usually within a minute. Following the kill, they can strip the carcass in 3 to 4 minutes and consume their prey with great efficiency. The team has also observed the hunting behavior of wild dogs and Buffalos. It was noted that pack behavior in hunting Buffalos varies depending on the age and size of the animals. An encounter with a cheetah during a hunting session added an element of excitement to their observations. The team has been utilizing collars on big adult male dogs to gather valuable information. These collars provide essential data on the movements of the dogs and their interactions with livestock, which in turn raises community awareness and aids in conflict prevention. Furthermore, the collars have proven to be instrumental in identifying and addressing threats such as snares, thereby contributing to conservation efforts and saving lives. Telemetry collars have been particularly useful in providing data that ensures connectivity and safe dispersal for wild dogs. By tracking movements through human-dominated landscapes and protected areas, the team has been able to facilitate effective corridor and connectivity planning for conservation efforts.

Additionally, it was observed that a female wolf is pregnant once again, indicating that the pack is growing in strength. Having had pups in May and December, the female wolf is now expecting another litter. The pack currently consists of 32 dogs, including adults, big pups, and little pups. The team has also been studying the hunting strategy of wild dogs about pack dynamics. While wild dogs primarily hunt impalas, they have also been observed targeting kudus. The Pungu pack has experienced growth in numbers and has successfully raised multiple litters of pups.