Great Dog Sighting at Mala Mala
Dec 5th, 2006, 05:00 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,766
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Great Dog Sighting at Mala Mala
How's this for NatGeo moment.
1. Pack of 17 dogs.
2. Hunt a Nyala, which backs into a thorn bush and manages to keep them at bay.
3. Meanwhile Leopard stalks the Nyala, unseen by dogs.
4. Dogs notice Leopard and chase up a tree.
5. Moments later Leopards's sub-adult male cub comes along and also is chased up a tree.
To top this off, this pack was witnessed making several kills over a three day period, and finally decided to chase Rhino around for fun.
1. Pack of 17 dogs.
2. Hunt a Nyala, which backs into a thorn bush and manages to keep them at bay.
3. Meanwhile Leopard stalks the Nyala, unseen by dogs.
4. Dogs notice Leopard and chase up a tree.
5. Moments later Leopards's sub-adult male cub comes along and also is chased up a tree.
To top this off, this pack was witnessed making several kills over a three day period, and finally decided to chase Rhino around for fun.
Dec 5th, 2006, 05:57 PM
#4
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 14,440
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Amazing action. These are some tough canines if chasing a rhino is their idea of fun.
Is their breeding season similar to dogs in Botswana?
Is this a pack that is just passing through? I don't recall Mala Mala having a resident pack.
Is their breeding season similar to dogs in Botswana?
Is this a pack that is just passing through? I don't recall Mala Mala having a resident pack.
Dec 5th, 2006, 07:36 PM
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
If you take a look at the cyberdiary page for their current week you will notice from November 27, there are fewer sightings of lion on their page: This May possibly explain the phenomenal wild dog and cheetah sightings during the week on their property.
Napamatt, the report says the rangers struggled to keep up with the wild dogs on their hunt. Have you been at MM during a wild dog hunt? If so, would you think their ability to follow them is just like in Botswana? I would think, anywhere in the SSGR they dont get the opportunity to follow them as often and so, it MAY be a bit harder to keep up(Schumacher skills)......
Hari
Napamatt, the report says the rangers struggled to keep up with the wild dogs on their hunt. Have you been at MM during a wild dog hunt? If so, would you think their ability to follow them is just like in Botswana? I would think, anywhere in the SSGR they dont get the opportunity to follow them as often and so, it MAY be a bit harder to keep up(Schumacher skills)......
Hari
Dec 6th, 2006, 05:45 AM
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,766
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hari
Yes we have been on the hunt with dogs in MM, and yes it can be very difficult to keep up with them, but probably no more than in mopane. On the one occasion we saw a kill, or rather heard it, we saw them loping up the road in front of us, when suddenly a Bushbuck hurtled past us from some nearby cover, they sprang forward and grabbed it behind some bushes, we heard a squeal, got there a moment or so later, the Bushbuck was dead and being devoured pretty rapidly.
MM does have plenty of open areas where seeing a hunt, chase and kill would be in the open, but nothing quite as open as the areas bordering the Kwando or Linyanti.
Yes we have been on the hunt with dogs in MM, and yes it can be very difficult to keep up with them, but probably no more than in mopane. On the one occasion we saw a kill, or rather heard it, we saw them loping up the road in front of us, when suddenly a Bushbuck hurtled past us from some nearby cover, they sprang forward and grabbed it behind some bushes, we heard a squeal, got there a moment or so later, the Bushbuck was dead and being devoured pretty rapidly.
MM does have plenty of open areas where seeing a hunt, chase and kill would be in the open, but nothing quite as open as the areas bordering the Kwando or Linyanti.
Dec 6th, 2006, 02:22 PM
#10
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well, I've probably been lurking on this forum long enough and decided it was time to actually register and contribute!
Like many (all!) of you, I'm an Africa fanatic and have spent a lot of time in East and Southern Africa. Mala Mala is my favourite destination and I'm usually lucky enough to visit 3 times each year.
I have just returned from the latest trip (1 week in Kruger and 12 nights at MM)and was lucky enough to be there for the wild dog action. Yes, it was certainly a challenge for the rangers to keep up with hunting dogs through fairly dense bush, but great fun for all concerned. I have seen wild dog on 4 previous visits to MM, but this was by far the most protracted sighting as they hung around for a few days. Yes, it is true that there had been very little lion activity over that period, so perhaps that was a factor in their decision to linger. The dogs had also treed a leopard the previous day and it made for a difficult decision as to whether to reach for the video camera or stills!
Thank you everyone for all of the entertaining posts - it is always interesting reading about other people's experiences of places that you have visited and hearing their views on ones that you may be considering. Keep them coming!
Carol
Like many (all!) of you, I'm an Africa fanatic and have spent a lot of time in East and Southern Africa. Mala Mala is my favourite destination and I'm usually lucky enough to visit 3 times each year.
I have just returned from the latest trip (1 week in Kruger and 12 nights at MM)and was lucky enough to be there for the wild dog action. Yes, it was certainly a challenge for the rangers to keep up with hunting dogs through fairly dense bush, but great fun for all concerned. I have seen wild dog on 4 previous visits to MM, but this was by far the most protracted sighting as they hung around for a few days. Yes, it is true that there had been very little lion activity over that period, so perhaps that was a factor in their decision to linger. The dogs had also treed a leopard the previous day and it made for a difficult decision as to whether to reach for the video camera or stills!
Thank you everyone for all of the entertaining posts - it is always interesting reading about other people's experiences of places that you have visited and hearing their views on ones that you may be considering. Keep them coming!
Carol
Dec 7th, 2006, 01:15 AM
#13
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hari/Tom,
Had some great cheetah viewing over the 12 days, but did not see the 2 brothers that were up around Clarendon Dam - wrong place, wrong time! We were down in the south at the time and then watching the 2 male leopards having a stand-off.
This was the first time that I have actually spent any time in KNP itself, having always been to the private reserves around it. We stayed at ordinary rest camps, namely Olifants and Satara and had a very good time. Whilst I would not want it as the only game viewing on a trip, it made a great combination with MM and was a really good way to relax. Obviously totally different experience and nice to be able to do your own thing. All of big 5 and good close leopard/lion sightings. I will certainly repeat it, again in conjunction with MM for the reliability.
Carol
Had some great cheetah viewing over the 12 days, but did not see the 2 brothers that were up around Clarendon Dam - wrong place, wrong time! We were down in the south at the time and then watching the 2 male leopards having a stand-off.
This was the first time that I have actually spent any time in KNP itself, having always been to the private reserves around it. We stayed at ordinary rest camps, namely Olifants and Satara and had a very good time. Whilst I would not want it as the only game viewing on a trip, it made a great combination with MM and was a really good way to relax. Obviously totally different experience and nice to be able to do your own thing. All of big 5 and good close leopard/lion sightings. I will certainly repeat it, again in conjunction with MM for the reliability.
Carol
Dec 7th, 2006, 01:53 AM
#14
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 993
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Matt,
I am really hoping those wild dog reappear for this upcoming trip, 3 nights at Lion Sands, then 21 nights at MalaMala. May 2003 was the last time I saw dog at MM, and we had some amazing sightings, including a hunt by wild dog on impala. It was impossible to stay with them as they are so agile and quick in changing directions, to go after prey.
The sightings at MalaMala have been fantastic, so hopefully shall continue this month and into January. There are so many of the cats that I need to see again! Whatever I miss this time, I am back again in March, so hopefully will catch it then!
Kind regards,
Kaye
I am really hoping those wild dog reappear for this upcoming trip, 3 nights at Lion Sands, then 21 nights at MalaMala. May 2003 was the last time I saw dog at MM, and we had some amazing sightings, including a hunt by wild dog on impala. It was impossible to stay with them as they are so agile and quick in changing directions, to go after prey.
The sightings at MalaMala have been fantastic, so hopefully shall continue this month and into January. There are so many of the cats that I need to see again! Whatever I miss this time, I am back again in March, so hopefully will catch it then!
Kind regards,
Kaye
Dec 7th, 2006, 05:37 AM
#16
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,766
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Kaye
A report appeared on the website and then disappeared, featuring the Eyrefield pride taking down a young Buffalo, and then the Newington Male taking a male warthog, who he couldn't strangle, instead a very gruesome twenty minutes went by, with photos showing the Leopard absolutely covered in blood. I'm sure you'll see some great things as always. Have a great trip.
A report appeared on the website and then disappeared, featuring the Eyrefield pride taking down a young Buffalo, and then the Newington Male taking a male warthog, who he couldn't strangle, instead a very gruesome twenty minutes went by, with photos showing the Leopard absolutely covered in blood. I'm sure you'll see some great things as always. Have a great trip.
Dec 7th, 2006, 05:39 AM
#17
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,766
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Carol
Three times a year! Which rangers have you had recently and would you like to comment on their performance, we will be getting a new ranger in January now that Leon has left. Birding is particularly important to us.
Three times a year! Which rangers have you had recently and would you like to comment on their performance, we will be getting a new ranger in January now that Leon has left. Birding is particularly important to us.
Dec 7th, 2006, 05:59 AM
#18
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Matt,
I would think it will be hard to beat Leon when it comes to birding! If I'm honest, I'm much more of a cat enthusiast myself and would never consider myself a bird expert by any means. For my last 4 trips I have had Graham, but he is only there very part time (he has a lot of other projects) and had come back specifically for me on the last occasion. I know that he won't be there in January, otherwise, I would definitely recommend.
Alan had just come back as head ranger before I left, so might be worth requesting, although I'm not sure how long he is staying. Might be worth asking Nils for a recommendation for a birding enthusiast?
Carol
I would think it will be hard to beat Leon when it comes to birding! If I'm honest, I'm much more of a cat enthusiast myself and would never consider myself a bird expert by any means. For my last 4 trips I have had Graham, but he is only there very part time (he has a lot of other projects) and had come back specifically for me on the last occasion. I know that he won't be there in January, otherwise, I would definitely recommend.
Alan had just come back as head ranger before I left, so might be worth requesting, although I'm not sure how long he is staying. Might be worth asking Nils for a recommendation for a birding enthusiast?
Carol
