Wild Dogs in the Mara
Nov 27th, 2006, 10:14 AM
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Wild Dogs in the Mara
I just got an update from Heritage Hotels that, among other things, says:
“Three wild dogs were seen last week on the Aitong Plains – a sign that this rare and enigmatic predator may be making a welcome return to the Mara. We join local conservationists in praying that these members of this highly social and greatly misunderstood species will be allowed to establish themselves in their former stronghold on the Mara plains.”
=D>
“Three wild dogs were seen last week on the Aitong Plains – a sign that this rare and enigmatic predator may be making a welcome return to the Mara. We join local conservationists in praying that these members of this highly social and greatly misunderstood species will be allowed to establish themselves in their former stronghold on the Mara plains.”
=D>
Nov 27th, 2006, 10:56 AM
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Awesome news, that would be a big return if dogs become re-established there! If actions are taken to conserve rather than persecute I think dogs could make a great comeback in the few places where large enough tracts of quality habitat still exist and certainly the Mara-Serengeti system is probably the best area remaining that is virtually absent of wild dog.
Thanks for posting!
Thanks for posting!
Nov 27th, 2006, 12:38 PM
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Gosh, that's great news! As PB says, hopefully it means the beginning of a comeback for the dogs in the area.
And hopefully the Maasai will work with the conservationists to ensure their survival.
And hopefully the Maasai will work with the conservationists to ensure their survival.
Nov 27th, 2006, 02:37 PM
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It seems as if the dogs are re-established in Laikipia/Samburu and in the newsletters from Sheldrick’s, the orphan elephants at the Ithumba unit in Tsavo East, north of the Galana River get regular scary visits from a pack of wild dogs. Let’s hope that the Mara/Serengeti is next.
Nov 27th, 2006, 06:20 PM
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I saw the last pack to roam the Mara in June '89 near Aitong. They died two weeks after I saw them due to canine distemper. This is great news. The dogs have been seen near Chyulu Hills just north of Amboseli recently. There are several packs now in the Laikipia plateau. They are making a big comeback in Kenya!
Nov 28th, 2006, 07:05 AM
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A year or so ago there was a report, here on Fodor’s, about 2 dogs sighted in the Mara. It was also said that they had a pup, but then nothing more was heard about them. Also about a year ago a bigger pack was sighted near Kleins outside Serengeti NP.
Leely, of course I saw a pack of 7 wild dogs in Samburu in June 2005! And googling around I’ve found pictures by other people who’ve seen dogs in Samburu. I haven’t found a website with regular updates though, but I’ve seen dogs in Samburu mentioned on the Save the Elephant’s website.
Am I the only Fodorite who’s seen dogs in Kenya or northern Tanzania in the last 16 years?
Leely, of course I saw a pack of 7 wild dogs in Samburu in June 2005! And googling around I’ve found pictures by other people who’ve seen dogs in Samburu. I haven’t found a website with regular updates though, but I’ve seen dogs in Samburu mentioned on the Save the Elephant’s website.
Am I the only Fodorite who’s seen dogs in Kenya or northern Tanzania in the last 16 years?
Nov 28th, 2006, 11:19 AM
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Nyamera, I just missed a pack of dogs at Swala Camp, Tarangire in September '95. The camp manager saw them. There are regular reports from around Laikipia (Loisaba, Sarara, etc.)of several packs. I think they are the ones who make infrequent visits to Samburu, as the areas are contiguous. One estimate has them at 100-150 in Laikipia now.
Nov 28th, 2006, 12:20 PM
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Our driver/spotter had seen wild dogs near Naabi gate in the last year on more than one occasion. And weren't there reports about dogs at Manyara fairly recently?
I'd like to see your photos again, too, Nyamera.
I'd like to see your photos again, too, Nyamera.
Nov 28th, 2006, 12:44 PM
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Thanks to Dennis, my photos are still available and can be found in the East Africa Trip Report Index. Before putting a link here, I have to warn everyone that, as they are taken with an old non-digital point and shoot with a very small zoom, they’re of the absolute lowest quality ever seen on Fodor’s, most animals are brown spots in the middle of the photo and they’re very dark and blurry. And, the dirty old scanner that was used only made things worse. The dogs are in numbers 37, 38, 39, 44, 45, 46 and 47.
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=...0&y=g34dap
Safaridude, I remember that the manager of Swala didn’t wake you up. Incredible! But just as well, in case you bring them bad luck.
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=...0&y=g34dap
Safaridude, I remember that the manager of Swala didn’t wake you up. Incredible! But just as well, in case you bring them bad luck.
Nov 28th, 2006, 12:47 PM
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The last thing I wrote was kind of stupid. I don’t think Safaridude brings bad luck to wild dogs.
Still no other Fodorites who’ve seen dogs in Kenya or northern Tanzania in the last 16 years.
Still no other Fodorites who’ve seen dogs in Kenya or northern Tanzania in the last 16 years.
