The wild dogs must be hunting in the cool of the evening and with the half moon.
This morning when I found them they were well fed and quite some distance to the east of where I’d left them, but already moving back west. The adults didn’t seem too interested in moving, while the pups ran amok chasing each other all over the place.
This is all part of their training to get fit so as to be able to keep up on the hunt. And amazingly in their play there is no aggression. They all seem to get along just fine and be having fun. Anyone who steps out of line trying to be aggressive or dominant is soon sorted out by the others and so maintaining peace in the pack.
The pups were soon exhausted with their goings on and passed out for the day.
On my way back to camp past Sosigi dam, zebra and impala were coming in to drink. But now for the second day running I haven’t seen the Egyptian Geese and their youngsters. They must have moved. But where to? The closest body of water is the Malilangwe dam about 3kms away and across some pretty hilly country. And one must also remember the goslings are still a long way from being able to fly.
That sure would be quite a feat to make it all the way to Malilangwe dam on those tiny feet.
A large litter - and all very healthy. Great job by the parents. Amazing.
Wonderful! Do they vocalize? You had sound on this one, and all I heard was the grass being beaten down. Are they usually quiet, or are the sounds not being picked up? Thx
When the pups mature and form a pack, how long do they stay with Mom and Dad? Are the alpha male and female the only ones allowed to breed? Is it normal for some of the pups to strike out on their own to find a mate and start a new pack?
Thanks,
Donna
The wild dogs don’t vocalize much. Pups whine a bit when playing. Adults give a bark as an alarm. Have a contact call that is a pretty high pitched long whoooooooo.
pups will always stay with the pack and help raise future litters. if pack gets big, some females might break away and join up with other males.
Yes only the Alpha dogs breed. So it was unusual when the last pack had 2 litters.