SANParks.org Forums

Since following the posts on the Forum regularly over the last couple of years, I have noticed that sightings and photos of wild dogs have become more frequent.

Is this due to visitors just reporting their presence more often or are the wild dog numbers on the increase?

We have seen them only once in several visits to the KNP.

Umtali 1

The last census showed less than 200 dogs - which is historically very low . Their numbers vary generally between 200-450 and are influenced by a number of factors including the numbers of their competitors and amount of rainfall . Generally their numbers have tracked rainfall patterns , and they don't seem to do well in periods of good rainfall . In the 1990's which were generally drier , their numbers ranged from 300-450 .

Thanks for the comment.

When was the last census and where is it published?

U

Suggest you do a google search for wild dog census numbers . The Sanparks annual report has overall game census numbers - I recall a link somewhere on this site to that report , but I don't think cheetah and wild dog form part of that census . There have been sporadic counts/estimates of cheetah and wild dog numbers over they years , and Sanparks have run photo competitions to assist in gathering data on these species .

I did a quick google search and have pasted a quote from an article on the iol.co.za site that has some relevance , but if you want to find more , just google search - there are many links .

" The first Kruger Park wild dog photographic census was completed in the 1980s and again in 1995, 2000 and 2005 and wild dog numbers have "fluctuated" between a peak of 434 in 1995 and 120 in 2005. When cheetahs were added to the list in 2005, 103 individuals were identified ..."

Thank you for that Highbury.

So it appears that it is just down to better reporting.

U

I have just returned from a trip to Satara and I saw the Orpen pack last Sunday 500 metres from the Muzandzeni Picnic spot. I was told at last count this pack was 16 strong. Well I can tell you it has been swelled by a healthy crop of younsters and we counted at least 25 dogs, both adult and sub adult. Our count was a best estimate but the young sub adults are in excellent condition.
I will post some photos later.

That's very interesting, adw.

U

Further to my earlier post here is a photo of some of the members of the pack. In this photo there are 11 dogs and there were many more milling about. This was 500 metres from the Muzandzeni Picnic spot and was taken at 17h00 on Sunday 25/11/2012. I was fortunate to see them tree a Leopard and I will show more photos in my trip report.

Brilliant picture. Will keep a look out for your trip report.

What an experience to see them scaring a leopard into a tree. Fantastic!

U

Our experience with wild dogs:

Kruger Park - South Africa - 15 september 2012

A rainy morning, around 9 am. We're driving on the 'Circle Road' near Pretoriuskop.

On the road ahead, we see an unexpected animal. It appears to be a domestic dog, complete with collar and leash around his neck.
He probably strayed away from a village close to the border of the Krugerpark and must have gotten lost; he's running around aimlessly.

Suddenly we notice a group of 'Wild Dogs' walking high up between the rocks. They spotted the little domestic dog as well and climb down towards the road.
Fearing the worst for the little dog, we could do nothing but watch the violent confrontation happen in front of our car.
The three Wild Dogs attack and they engage in a wild and unfair fight, chasing the defenseless dog into the high grass.

The little dog gives everything he's got: he bites, growls, barks, bares his teeth...

Just when we're thinking the little animal must be getting devoured in the bushes, something even more unexpected happens:
the three big dogs give up their fight and flee away, tail between their legs.

After his surprising victory we see the domestic dog one last time. Limping slightly on his rear leg, he disappears along the road.


http://youtu.be/j7wM7rvE4kU

The Orpen pack is 30 strong now
So it is safe to say that the numbers are up in that pack

Not sure of the overall picture of wild dog numbers in Kruger though

That is interesting Cheetah. I lost count at 20 so estimated at 25. Thirty wow!!!! That is good news. Did you see them after I spoke to you at Tshokwane?
Just to whet the appetite of WD lovers here is a photo of a Youngster.

I wasn't there, but Heksie and WendyA saw the Orpen dogs and said 30+ in the sighting

We came across 18 wild dog on the Orpen road near the dam outside Satara (Nsemani maybe?) this last week. Great sighting and the pack was clearly well fed - one dog did appear to be blind in one eye (very milky) though but seemed to be coping fine!
Also, there were numerous sightings of the Skukuza pack and one individual managed to see the pack make 4 (FOUR!!!) kills in one morning!!!

I know there were lots of reports about wild dogs breeding at PKop in September, but we only saw 1 single pup running with 3 adults about 1 km from the camp at the end of Sept. Don't know what happened to the rest of the pups... Also reports of pups being killed by lions near Skukuza a few months ago...
The last few years I have been impressed by the numbers of wild dogs we have seen around PKop, Skukuza and Afsaal -- more than ever before! Maybe I am getting wiser, but they seem to use these roads an awful lot!
Keep checking their momevements on www.wlsightings.blogspot.com

Thanks for the interesting statistics and reports!
Happy Xmas and God bless,

Friedrich von Horsten
ps. I was booked in Kruger for Dec. but had to cancel at the last minute -- quite miserable sitting in the Cape with a howling Southeaster when I could have been in the bush with a wild dog or two.