On our two previous safaris, we had not managed to see wild dogs.  We aimed to find them at Ngala, well known for the frequency of wild dog sightings.  We hit the jackpot on arrival, as a local pack was denning!

Leaving early from camp the next morning, we heard on the radio that the other vehicles had spotted tracks of the pack on the hunt.  They would spend the rest of the morning tracking these animals, ultimately finding them on a freshly killed wildebeest calf.

We listened to the progress of the other vehicles from time to time, as we sat at the den waiting for them to return.  On arrival, we saw a brief view of ears in the grass, followed by the alpha female getting up and scanning the surrounds for any sign of the pack.

Sure enough, our patience paid off and about 20 minutes after the pack was reported leaving their kill, they appeared at the den site, uttering their typical high-pitched greeting calls, followed by the regurgitation of food for the pups and alpha female.

The dogs will stay at their den for about another 6 weeks, after which the pups will follow the pack out on their first hunt.  This is the most dangerous time for the little ones, as they need to keep up with the pack and avoid the larger predators, such as lion, that are a real threat on a daily basis.  That being said, it is encouraging to see a pack such as this one, thriving in a protected area!