12/06/2020
We have an update for you on the Mbilu Pack at Karingani - the pack has settled down to den!
It appears that both the alpha and beta females have delivered their puppies within the past few weeks. During this time, the puppies will remain within the confined protection of their den as they are completely helpless at birth and they will only emerge from the den once they are a little older and more mobile.
Last week, the Karingani team with Dr Joao immobilised the alpha male, Lightning, to place a satellite tracking collar on him. This will enable management to effectively monitor these critically endangered carnivores. The pack will generally stay at the same den site until the puppies are mobile enough to move on their own and then eventually the entire pack will relocate to a new den site. This helps prevent flea infestations as well as protects the young pups from being discovered by other carnivores which might try and kill them. However, darting wild animals can be trickier than you would expect, multiple tactics were attempted to get close enough to the pack to dart, including Dr Joao waiting patiently in a tall tree with his dart gun.
Keep checking back for more as the wild dog story at Karingani unfolds over the next few weeks and months!
@ Karingani Game Reserve