Lycaon pictus
As we've mentioned, the Sabi Sands is well known for leopard sightings, but also lions, hyena, and if really lucky we may have seen wild dogs. Somewhere along the line, we discovered African wild dogs, aka painted wolves. Lycaon pictus.
As domestic dog owners, we quickly became fans of this species, who are actually distantly related to domestic dogs and wolves. The genealogy of Lycaon pictus diverged from the canine sub-family three million years ago. Among other differences, the painted wolf does not have a dewclaw. Painted wolves are the second most endangered carnivore in Africa (after the Ethiopian wolf) with only about 3,000 - 5,000 remaining, mostly in Southern and Eastern Africa. They are not “feral dogs”; however, the word “dog” in their name may have contributed to their decades of persecution by farmers. Painted wolves are highly adept hunters.
After two trips to Africa, we had yet to see the wolves in the wild, so we asked our travel agent to design our third safari to increase our chances of a sighting. We ended up in our most favorite place, Botswana (for the second time) and Zimbabwe (for the first time). We stayed at four different camps with a new guide at every location. When your guide picks you up, they always ask you: "what animals would you like to see while you're here?" and I can tell you that they are never thrilled to hear "African wild dogs, please". Unfortunately, you can't just make that request and have your guide make it happen, as this is the wild (and not a zoo) so you are at the mercy of luck and timing. This trip was, yet another, trip of a lifetime, but sadly we still did not find painted wolves.
The next year was the 'free' trip we won to South Africa, and still no dog sightings. However, we also added on seven nights in Hwange and Mana Pools in Zimbabwe where we had success, at last, with two separate sightings!
The first one was our last day in Hwange, as we headed out on our morning game drive our guide commented that the impala seemed to be acting nervously, usually a sign of cheetah or wild dogs! We continued on with our drive and while we were stopped for Kurt to photograph some saddle-billed stork, I was looking through my binoculars at the distant horizon about kilometer away. I could see a large troop of baboon running and as I scanned to see what was causing their panic, I could see the silhouettes of wild dogs!! Unable to contain my excitement, I shouted "I SEE DOGS" to our guide and Kurt. Our guide looked skeptical but picked up his binoculars to take a look and then quickly told us to hang on. We took off at high speed and after about five minutes of bundu bashing were able to catch up with the dogs. There is nothing more exhilarating that trying to keep up with wild dogs as they hunt. The pack of about 10 wild dogs were unsuccessful (this time) in their attempt to catch an impala and we were fortunate to see them regroup and settle down to rest up before their next try. It was such a beautiful sight and caused me to have tears of happiness.
The second sighting was very special (think den & pups), but we will save that story for another day...
Painted wolf (Lycaon pictus). Hwange, Zimbabwe, 2018.
Steph and Sibs watching wild dogs. Hwange, Zimbabwe, 2018.
Coursing dogs. Hwange, Zimbabwe, 2018.
Saddle-billed storks. Hwange, Zimbabwe, 2018.
Well written and the photographs are so good. How I wish we were there!