I have been fortunate enough to witness lions, leopards, eagles, cheetah and even crocodile in action. From stalking their unwary prey, chasing it and eventually making a kill. I mean from the very beginning to the end, but I had never seen wild dogs making a kill until recently.


I believe every one who has read the rangers diaries submitted by the Thanda guides will know that we have a successful resident pack of African wild dog. Many times, since my guiding days began, have I witnessed wild dog feeding, but was never lucky enough to witness a hunt that would end in a kill.


Two weeks ago, my luck had changed. One afternoon I was out on a drive with a group of guests who were interested in everything. We were slowly driving, stopping to look at birds, trees and some of the smaller game when all of a sudden Sakhile, my tracker alerted us to a herd of impala alarm calling. I switched off the vehicle, and with everyone looking around wide eyed, I began to explain why animals like impala have alarm calls. Suddenly there was a crashing sound that came from the guarri bushes nearby. Everyone turned their attention to the direction of the sound, and to our surprise out trotted what appeared to be a very tired sub-adult warthog. Seconds later the pack of dogs appeared and before the warthog could cross the road they were on it and tearing at its flesh and feeding on it before it had even died. This behaviour did not surprise me, it was just that I had never witnessed it before and only after some time, when one of my guests asked how many dogs we have did I realize that that it was just another wonderful afternoon game drive.

Sandiso Shabangu - Field Guide