African Wildlife diary....

ODD-JOB

Well , Just thought somebody might like this website I've been following . This filmaker / documentarian called Kim Wolhuter is currently filming in an natural reserve in Zimbabwe .
I dont know if anybody's seen Hyaena Queen on National geographic , which Kim made .... but he is posting 3 minute video clips of the wildlife he sees each day.
He usually updates around 8 o clock each night
It's a hidden secret on the internet ! small following of people it would seem.
www.wildcast.net .....

He's currently trying to follow "Puzzles" and her Wild dog cubs , and is making a big effort to inocculate them from rabies.
Its been very interesting to be able to follow the pups from birth , as you get to know individual personalities and the hierarcy etc.
Often Humourous but also quite emotional at times too , no sugar coating
http://www.wildcast.net/2007/06/03/hopes-shattered-for-wild-dogs-video/

this clip being the final days of the last wild dog pack , in june '07.

Bernard Hopkins

Today's video was just really funny !!
The wild pups have just come across a water-hole for the first time . Dogs are usually fearless creatures , but these pups are terrified to touch the water !http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=6LFvEWPuI-E

Turning out to be a cute little bunch !

ODD-JOB

And a fantastic way to learn about the natural activity of dogs.
Domesticated Dogs and Wild dogs have the same natural instinct , and watching Kim's 3 minute clips can teach you so much about the behaviour of man's best friend !!

The Wild dog's are very social creatures , and have some of the most fascinating charachter and personalities !
The adults are fearless hunters , and sucessful hunters , and scramble to eat their prey before the pups catch up on the hunt ! Because as soon as the pups arrive , they dominate. all adults despite thier hunger will yeild for the pups to come in and take their fill.
Even the alpha male and female must wait their turn, and hope for scraps that the pups cant spueeze into their little tummys!

Another interesting trait , the pups have a system where nobody is alllowed to have higher rank than any other pup, and if one gets a bit big for his boots , all the other pups will team up and sort him out !! it maintains a fair and happy playing level for one and all, and keeps the social system in check.

Theres only a few thousand of these things left , and their chances of sucessful re-populatipon is really bleak,so this archive of clips is some really rare footage.

Its been great to constantly follow the same family of wild dogs , and with the pups just 3 or 4 months old they're still really cute things.