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#Hyenas vs wild dogs full
The spirit of each predator was on full display and the fingers of my fellow photographers never left their camera shutters. We were witness to nothing but energetic and joyful behaviour.Īlthough the sighting lasted just under an hour, it will more than likely remain one of my all-time favourites. Aside from the odd scuffle, the two predator species were co-existing happily in front of our eyes. We watched as the spotted scavengers joined the painted wolves to quench their thirst. As the dogs played, swam and drank all around us, it seemed the hyenas wanted in on the action. The dogs, not wanting to fight for the merest of morsels, retreated to the dam to drink and frolic in the cool water. This gave the hyenas the opportunity to dart in and steal the pitiful remains.ĭid you know? Hyenas can hear the sounds of other predators feeding kilometres away. The dogs, having had their fill, for the most part departed. What an impressive display of their efficiency.īefore long, the smell and commotion drew the attention of other predators and a couple of spotted hyenas started to circle the area. Every bone was stripped near clean within minutes, leaving nothing but a stark reminder of what once was.
We followed it to a nearby impala kill and before long the rest of the pack, another 16 wild dogs in all, swarmed the area. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a lone African wild dog trotted down to the dam’s edge for a quick drink – seemingly oblivious to our vehicle. Not ideal for photography, but our vehicle headed to a nearby dam for sunrise.
The sky was a dull grey with a thick blanket of clouds blocking out much of the light. It was a quiet morning in the Greater Kruger National Park area. Yet it takes just a split second for everything to change. For every action-packed day of predator and prey interaction, there are just as many outings when nothing much happens. What happens when these two predators cross paths? By Samuel CoxĪs any wildlife photographer knows, luck plays a huge factor when out in the bush. Spotted hyenas are the opportunistic foot soldiers, always looking to score an easy meal. Wild dogs are the elite troops of the bush, Africa’s most successful predator by far.
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