To see either of these rare and endangered animals during a safari would be considered lucky.
A pack of 24 wild dogs had just pulled down a young sable calf, and were in the process of devouring the carcass as we arrived. Being on the scene during a kill is often an emotionally charged situation for many – this was no exception. Yet, the bravery of the sable as they stood their ground and formed an impenetrable circle of horns and hooves to protect their surviving two calves huddled in the centre, was nothing short of electrifying.
At intervals, the wild dogs would group together and mount a charge with ear-splitting high-pitched squealing and chirping, trying to break the sables’ nerve and force them to scatter. If they had succeeded, the sable calves would certainly have been easy prey; fortunately for the antelope, this attempt failed. The dominant sable bull would patrol the outer edges of his herd and lunge at any of the dogs that got too close, while the rest stood with their heads lowered and horns facing outwards, preventing the predators from reaching the calves. This has to be one of the most stirring exhibitions of bravery and defence that you could ever hope to see in the wild.