AERIAL PHOTO IMAGE

The Ranger informed us that this was the first sightings of African Wild Dogs in six months. (Feb/2002)

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AFRICAN WILD DOG

The African Wild Dog (Lycaon pictus) is a carnivorous mammal of the Canidae family, found only in Africa, especially in scrub savanna and other lightly wooded areas. It is also called the Painted Hunting Dog, African Hunting Dog, the Cape Hunting Dog, the Spotted Dog, or the Painted Wolf in English, Wildehond in Afrikaans, and Mbwa mwitu in Swahili. It is the only species in the genus Lycaon.

Adults typically weigh 17-36 kilograms (37-79 pounds). A tall, lean animal, it stands about 30 inches (75 cm) at the shoulder, with a head and body length averaging about 40 inches (100cm) and a tail of 12 to 18 inches (30-45cm). Animals in southern Africa are generally larger than those in the eastern or western Africa.

African wild dogs have an unusual breeding system. Only one pair of dogs reproduces in a pack; other pack members act cooperatively to care for the young of the breeding pair. It has been said that African wild dogs are the most social of all mammals, never living apart from a pack at any stage in their lives.

They live in tightly knit social groups and hunt in packs, preying primarily on grazing animals such as gazelles, springboks, wildebeest and zebras. Members of a pack vocalize to help coordinate their movements. Its voice is characterized by an unusual chirping or squeaking sound.

While most predators stalk or ambush their prey, the wild dogs make no attempt to hide, they simply approach a herd until it stampedes and then single out an individual and chase it until it's exhausted. The dogs are swift, tireless runners and have been known to chase prey for an hour. During pursuit, they can reach speeds of up to 45 mph.

Nearly 80% of all hunts end in a kill. After a successful hunt, hunters regurgitate meat for those that remained at the den during the hunt, such as the dominant female and the pups. They will also feed other pack members such as the sick, injured or very old that cannot keep up.

Hunting dog packs range over very large areas -- from 600 to more than 1,500 square miles (1,560-3,900 sq km) a year - and even large parks may not provide enough territory to support viable dog populations. There were once about 500,000 African Wild Dogs in 39 countries, and packs of 100 or more were not uncommon. Now there are only about 3,000-5,500 in less than 25 countries. They are primarily found in eastern and southern Africa.

There are two remaining large populations, one associated with the Selous Game Reserve in Tanzania and another population centered in northern Botswana and eastern Namibia. Smaller but apparently secure populations of several hundred individuals are found in Zimbabwe, South Africa (Kruger National Park) and in the Ruaha/Rungwa/Kisigo complex of Tanzania.

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MALA MALA

Mala Mala is the oldest and largest private game reserve in South Africa. One of the first areas of private land to switch from hunting to conservation, it is spread over 33,000 acres (13,500 hectares) of the Mpumalanga Lowveld. The property shares a 12 mile unfenced border with Kruger National Park and contains the longest stretch of the Sand River of any of the Sabi Sand resorts. Its varied habitats - riverine forest, acacia bushveld, and savannah - support a broad selection of wildlife, and provide excellent opportunities for spotting the Big 5 (Buffalo, Elephant, Leopard, Lion & Rhinoceros).

Upon checking in, your game ranger will greet you and accompany you throughout your stay. The rangers, selected for their knowledge of African plant, animal, and bird-life, oversee your personal service. They will be your guide for your twice daily, four-hour game drives, sit with you at meals and impart their knowledge of African wildlife with stories about the individual behavior of animals within the MalaMala reserve.

Game drives are conducted in an open safari vehicle, accompanied by a professional Shangaan tracker. Despite the refined attention to detail, you are immediately aware that you are in Africa and that the unexpected may happen. Breakdowns and stuck vehicles are a hazard of driving through donga and bush, but the staff handles this with aplomb. Radio contact, a large reserve, and excellent guides enhance the probability of seeing the big five. The camp also offers guided bush walks.

Lycaon pictus is a large canid found only in Africa, especially in savannas and other lightly wooded areas. It is variously called the African wild dog, African hunting dog, Cape hunting dog, painted dog, painted wolf, painted hunting dog, spotted dog, or ornate wolf.
The scientific name "Lycaon pictus" is derived from the Greek for "wolf" and the Latin for "painted". It is the only canid species to lack dewclaws on the forelimbs.

[Photo taken at the Indianapolis Zoo]
[Description from Wikipedia]