It’s been an interesting week for the dogs and thankfully they’re all still going strong.
Zip and Kodak both have foot injuries but both recovering just fine.
The day after the lions killed the dogs, the rest of the pack were too nervous to go to the den. So for over 24hrs they didn’t feed the pups. It was only the next morning after a successful hunt that they slowly approached the den and called the pups out.
As was to be expected Puzzles wanted to move the pups to a new den. They often do this when hassled by lions. Several times she called the pups and they would follow her until the yearlings stepped in to feed them. They stopped the whole move. Eventually Puzzles gave up.
The next day Puzzles was on her own at the den and had already moved some of the pups to a new den close by when I got there at dawn. She then tried to move the rest but they wouldn’t jump down a ledge. She picked up the one and carried it off leaving the others milling around me. Eventually they moved back to the den. Puzzles then gave up calling them and carried them one at a time to the den. Now back at the 2nd den.
Puzzles is now out hunting with her yearlings, and nobody is left behind to look after the pups. But the den they’re in is really secure from lions and other predators, so long as the pups don’t go a wandering.
Lions were again at the den the one night and again the pack were nervous all day only getting to feed the pups late in the evening.
Puzzles now seems to have resigned herself to the fact that the pups are in a safe den, so why move them?
Hyaenas also came to within about 50m of the den. The dogs watched, ready to send them packing, but no need. They hyaenas seemed to know they better move off. They had come to check out the dead dogs of which there was hardly anything remaining.
We were also successful in implanting Chevvy with a transmitter. This goes in the stomach cavity and the animal doesn’t even know it’s there. So at least now I can again keep track of the dogs movements.
The dogs are all doing well and the yearlings hunting very successfully. There’s been no change in the status of the pack without Jiggy being there, but no doubt things will change when Puzzles comes into oestrus next year.
Stunning video !
just love the profile of the dogs with their hooped ears against the morning sky -
Are there any cases of Wild dogs killing lions?
Some may not agree, but learning about the day to day arms length relationship you have with the dogs and how over time they have come to trust you and also to lean on you for emotional support (Puzzles), I feel it is a peek into our human past when man first joined forces with the wild dog. I am sure the process was much the same.
I feel so priveleged to be ‘a part of’ the lives of the wild dogs. Puzzles’ ragged ears seem to demonstrate how she became alpha female and earned that right.
Love the videos of the Wild Dogs and so sad about the two that were killed.
Kim, can you tell me if these are the Blue Canyon Wild Dogs? I watch a streaming web cam on the Wild Dogs and they have 13 Puppies. They are so darn adorable.
no not the Blue Canyon dogs
Do the pups have an instinctual fear of lions? I am wondering what they do if their are lions about. Do they know to stay well protected in their den?
Hey Kim,so glad to hear the dogs are doing ok,hunting well. Cool picture of the 2 pups messing about-the one across/over the others back facing opposite directions. I also love that photo of the dogs “lying together”, or should I say all over each other-the one has 2 heads resting on it,the other has 1,and so on…Great video of the dogs as well,boy do I miss those sunrises and sunsets in the bush!!This is not the 1st and it most certainly wont be the last time I say this,I am SO JEALOUS. Many thanks
Josh
they will have some instinctual fear. they will know to duck into the den. but lions can easily ambush them as they are not fully aware of sounds around them.
Oh for the circumstances to be different. The colors, the moon, them looking, looking. And whining. Was so pleased the sub-adults did so very well as puppies, and then major loss. Yes, life must go on, but that doesn’t make it one jot easier.
b.
What a sad news about Jiggy and the other dog.Hopefully the rest will survive.
We have been away for awhile and saw that your video is now only coming once or twice per week, is this correct or do I have a problem with the computer?
Thanks for your answer Gertru
Kim, after looking back over the stills of the puppies, could the darkest one be named Jiggy Jr. (JJ)? A fitting tribute to an excellent father. You’ve managed to see them all by now, isn’t there one to fit the bill?
b.
Hmmmm………just maybe. There are actually 3 puppies i think that are going to be really dark. will see when they’re a few months older and their brown colours have come through.
yes it is only a couple of times a week as I’m swamped with work on 3 films we’re busy editing in the US, and at the same time I’m shooting on this dog film.