African wild dogs are not the cute cuddly dogs we all know and love. These guys have the highest successful kill ratio of all predators. They will run prey to exhaustion and a pack will finish off a couple of hundred pound antelope in under 30 minutes. Unfortunately they are very susceptible to diseases such as rabies and canine distemper. Like other predators that are stressed by loss of habitat these beautiful creatures are affected as their territory shrinks.
I have had the good fortune to see these guys on two occasions but never on the hunt....one day.
Eric http://eyelaser.smugmug.com/Nature/Botswana2007/i-2tHZ54W/0/X2/Africa-2007-334-X2.jpg
Hmmm, looks to me like he is wanting you to pet him Eric...hehe
Great look you got there, interesting color to the Sand/dirt like the image a lot
Larry
eric nice shot. I just saw a documentary on these amazing survivors. a whole 21 pack was destroyed by rabies. only one survived. just the way of nature
Eric- a combination of luck and skill has given you the honor of seeing these amazing creatures.
For me, TV is it, and they have to use fast Land Rovers and helicopters to follow a hunt.
This guy looks quite peaceful and amazingly tolerant of your presence. Your guide (?) must have known a good deal about how close to approach these animals.
And, oh, an excellent image- of course .
Charlie
Great info Eric and an even better shot. He posses a demonic combination charm and fierceness. The idea of a pack of these guys chasing one down is absolutely terrifying. Lucky you for getting the opportunity to photograph this guy. Very well done!
Thank you everyone. Watching these dogs interact amongst themselves is amazing. There is a S. African filmmaker that used to do a daily or weekly 3 minute video blog from a game reserve in Zimbabwe. He had a denning pack of wild dogs that he followed almost from birth. They started showing signs of rabies and almost all died. He was able to dart and immunize a couple of the survivors....it was rather hard watching the abnormal behavior of these animals as they got sicker and eventually died. They would pass on the disease to one another by their licking of the face that is part of their grooming behavior. It is easy to see why whole packs are wiped out in a matter of weeks.
Eric
BearCreekLar wrote:
Hmmm, looks to me like he is wanting you to pet him Eric...hehe
Great look you got there, interesting color to the Sand/dirt like the image a lot
Larry
Thanks so much Larry. I would love to have a little wild dog puppy...but the neighbors would complain about the impala poop.
Eric
gsmani wrote:
eric nice shot. I just saw a documentary on these amazing survivors. a whole 21 pack was destroyed by rabies. only one survived. just the way of nature
Yes, they are very vulnerable to disease wiping out a whole pack. I guess that's the downside to being such social animals.
Eric
