This is a featured article from Newmark Hotels who run several accommodations around wildlife reserves in southern Africa and as such are a hot spot for those looking to experience the wild first hand. One of their locations is fortunate enough to be in close proximity to game drives that move through Painted Wolf territory, on the stars of BBC One's Dynasty series. They are such amazing creatures but particularly hard to track down so to be able to witness them in the wild is a huge privilege.
One of the predators that guests often talk about but rarely get to see is the African wild dog, often referred to as the painted wolf. With fewer than 5000 on the continent and no more than 250 in the Greater Kruger National Park, this endangered carnivore is not often seen when heading out on safari. With numbers this low and the dogs living in nomadic packs which range through vast tracts of land, being able to view these animals is always a privilege and a challenge!
We are often treated to unbelievable and fairly regular sightings of these fascinating animals. On one particular morning we were fortunate enough to have three different packs move through our area, and each pack having youngsters in attendance. There were literally over 60 dogs in the greater area of Motswari on that day – a spectacle to behold!
Wild dogs are typically seasonal breeders in the Greater Kruger region, mainly producing litters (up to 21) between the months of May and June, and breeding is usually done by the alpha male and female. This period coincides with the end of the impala rut, the main prey species of wild dog, when the rams typically lose condition from fighting and breeding stress and therefore should be easier targets (not always the case!).
Young pups are vulnerable and need to develop quickly so that the pack as a whole can return to their nomadic lifestyle of being on the move. During the denning period the pack movements are restricted to the vicinity of the den and when the pups are old and strong enough to follow the adults, the den is abandoned.
Wild dogs hunt by sight and smell. In winter there is improved visibility and increased hunting success because the bush is more open, in summer it’s more of a challenge with the abundance of greenery but this can allow for ambushing prey, another fine art. Nevertheless, watching a wild dog hunt is an exhilarating and heart pumping experience where binoculars are a necessity as the dogs move so fast, keeping up with them is the major challenge.With their cunning nature and intricate social structure, involving high levels of teamwork at the very core, they are a formidable predator. You too could be lucky enough to be captivated by these amazing animals by visiting Motswari. With a little bush luck and our excellent tracking skills we are always on the lookout for signs of their whereabouts, keen to show you just how magical they are.
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