08/26/2026
This year, for World African Wild Dog Day, I thought I'd share some of my experiences with these incredible creatures:
- Until I saw the Dogs in the wild, I just thought they were amazing stamina creatures. And they are. But, I had no idea how wicked fast they run! The first time I saw them hunt, across the Khwai River, my jaw dropped. I said holy s #!*@ those things are fast!
- Years later in Kwara, I experienced their blazing speed up close and personal, while walking the path to breakfast at first light. The Dogs were hunting in our camp! Flying around the corner, coming right at me was an Impala at top speed with a Wild Dog two seconds back in hot pursuit! Mind blowing.
- When it's time to hunt, the Dogs go through an excited ritual of yipping, peeing, running and jumping to amp each other up
- The lead dogs set out in a trot and the pack fans out like a military unit trotting behind
- When the lead Dogs see prey, sometimes 500 meters out, the hunt is on and the pack jets off like rockets. They separate from our slow jeep in seconds, leaving us to see their white tails bobbing up and down as they bound through the tall grass.
- For the Impala, or whatever they see, it's game over before the chase even begins. When prey see Lions, Cheetahs, or Leopards, they watch to see how close the predators get before they move. When they see the Dogs, it's already too late. They immediately run, but it's just a matter of minutes before the Dogs incredible high-speed stamina, at 60-70 kph, runs them down. And with the Dogs' flanking army, they easily intercept the prey when they turn one way or the other.
- The pack always has a few Dogs taking up the rear of the unit, protecting injured, limping warriors and youngsters. Heartwarming to see.
More to share another day. Thanks for reading!
The African Wild Dogs are remarkable animals that need more protection with only 6,500 or so in the wild. Do some research and please consider supporting the following orgs helping them:
Wild Entrust
Painted Wolf Foundation
Waterberg Wild Dogs
