Despite not being great climbers, wild dogs still attempt to chase down klipspringer antelopes, a species well-adapted for moving on rocky terrain.
Guide Gareth van Rooyen witnessed a special hunt by a pack of African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) in the Mala Mala Game Reserve, South Africa, on February 22.
“This pack of 21 wild dogs has been active in the reserve for the past week, and that day, they were lingering near the Mlowathi River. The guides spotted them during an afternoon tour, likely hunting, as it is not uncommon for wild dogs to hunt twice a day,” Rooyen noted.
The pack encountered a herd of klipspringer antelopes (Oreotragus oreotragus), a small-sized antelope, and cornered their prey against large rocks. Michael Botes, one of the guides who filmed the encounter, had previously witnessed this herd of antelopes in a similar situation with another pack of wild dogs.
The wild dogs primarily targeted younger antelopes, according to Rooyen. Meanwhile, the adult wild dogs showed little interest.
The pack encounters a herd of klipspringer antelopes and corners them against the rocks.
For the klipspringer antelopes, although it is challenging to deal with these predators in their habitat, they possess the right adaptations for living on rocky outcrops. Their sharp hooves allow them to move nimbly and skillfully on the rocks, as shown in the video. Living in such areas also often helps them evade larger predators.
“What makes this scene particularly impressive is that wild dogs are not good climbers. Their feet are completely unsuitable for what we are witnessing. It’s hard to believe that the wild dogs didn’t slip or fall. The hunt kept everyone on edge, eagerly waiting to see what would happen next,” Rooyen shared.
However, the wild dogs gradually lost interest and moved on to continue foraging. Later, they successfully hunted a large impala antelope (Aepyceros melampus), which is slightly larger than the klipspringer.
