With great surprise to most rangers, we have been very fortunate to have a pack of wild dogs on Kapama for the last few days. Wild dogs are not often seen but when they are they are amazing to watch and spend time with.
They are the largest Canid in Africa and the second largest in the world after the grey wolf. Adults weigh between 18 and 36 kilograms and are tall and lean animals made to cover large distances hunting down their prey. There are very little visible differences between the males and females other than the fact that males are usually a bit larger in their body size.
Wild dogs will reproduce at any time of year but mating peaks between March and June. Their gestation is approximately 70 days and litters contain anything between 2 and 19 pups. They reach sexual maturity between 12 and 18 months and have an expected life span of about 10 to 12 years in the wild.
Wild dogs are extremely interesting animals and definitely worth watching and experiencing. An amazing opportunity has fallen upon Kapama and we all hope that it will continue.
FW – Kapama River Lodge
18/04/2013
