Wild Dogs (Painted Dogs) at their Kill

[Mike Buckley]

Madikwe Game Reserve has only about 150 wild dogs, which is an endangered species, and we saw about 25 of them at this kill. They are quite smart, having chased an impala into the electric fence on the perimeter of the reserve. The fence stuns the impala at the least, leaving it easy prey for the pack of dogs.

The dogs had finished off all but the very last remains of the carcass, so they were mostly relaxing on full stomachs. Though they huddled often in groups of five or six to keep themselves warm on this chilly, windy morning, we didn't get any good shots of them doing that. Occasionally a couple of the pups would get frisky and play a bit, as seen in one of the photos shown below.

The light wasn't great, but being able to see these wonderful animals in a situation that they were happy to lay around waiting for photographers was a rare opportunity that I'll always remember. The first photo was captured by my wife and post-processed by me.


Photo #1: 230mm on a 1.5 crop-factor camera, f/8, shutter 1/750, ISO 4000, Exposure Comp: none



Photo #2: 300mm on a 1.5 crop-factor camera, f/4, shutter 1/640, ISO 2800, Exposure Comp: +1/2



Photo #3: 300mm on a 1.5 crop-factor camera, f/6.3, shutter 1/640, ISO 4500, Exposure Comp: none



Photo #4: 300mm on a 1.5 crop-factor camera, f/6.3, shutter 1/640, ISO 3600, Exposure Comp: none



Photo #5: 300mm on a 1.5 crop-factor camera, f/6.3, shutter 1/640, ISO 1800, Exposure Comp: none

[tamccain]

are these like a feral species - like domesticated dogs that have gone wild, or are they non-domesticated types of dogs?

[Clive Kirby]

Great series of images. Nice close up shots (2+3) and a couple of nice shots of the interaction between them (4+5).
regards
Clive

[NorthernFocus]

Nice set, Mike. Nos 4 and 5 are awesome.

[Mike Buckley]

Thank you, Clive and Dan!

Tim: Nothing that I found on the Internet mentions domestication, so I assume the species has always been in the wild.

[Donald]

Compliments, Mike. A really good set of images.

[AB26]

Very accurate colour, Mike. I can smell them looking at these images.
Well done.

[Brownbear]

Very nice... I especially adore the 2nd image.

[davidedric]

Mike, these are stunning photographs. Not the easiest animals to find and photograph, and the portraits are so crisp. There isn't an exif - it would be nice to know how you set up.

The electric fence may have done the impala a favour. I've seen how these dogs take down prey - and they don't wait till it is dead before starting eating. A rather gruesome sight.

like domesticated dogs that have gone wild, or are they non-domesticated types of dogs?

If you don't mind me jumping in, they are emphatically NOT feral dogs. Their other name is Painted Wolves. You can't really seed from Mike's shots, but they have long legs for running, and big jaws for biting. They are probably Africa's most successful predator. Unfortunately, they had problems with disease, including distemper from domestic dogs, but they are now doing much better and are generally increasing across their range. Fabulous animals with a fascinating social structure (maybe you can tell I'm a fan )

[John 2]

Nice set Mike and some interesting facts.

[Mike Buckley]

Thanks, everyone!

Dave: I added the EXIF data to all of the photos in the first post. Just in case it helps to know, the EXIF data is always embedded in the photos that I upload to CiC.

To expand on Dave's comments about the dogs' hunting and running habits...

My wife's photo shown below is the best shot that we have for showing their legs designed for running.

I also found the following information: "The dogs have a peculiar rather playful ceremony that bonds them for a common purpose and initiates each hunt. They start circulating among the other pack members, vocalizing and touching until they get excited and are ready to hunt. They start the hunt in an organized, cooperative manner. When prey is targeted, some of the dogs run close to the animal, while others follow behind, taking over when the leader tired. They can run long distances, at speeds up to about 35 miles per hour." That information was extracted from this web page.


Photo #6: 240mm on a 1.5 crop-factor camera, f/8, shutter 1/750, ISO 4500, Exposure Comp: none

[Teton Chuck]

Great set of photos Mike. Have you noticed that in spite of focusing on the eyes, none of the eyes show up very well. I think these dogs a cryptic down to the eyes. We didn't get the interaction that you got. I think the pack we observed were too much on alert.

[deetheturk]

Wonderful set of images Mike!

[bnnrcn]

Great set Mike, thanks for sharing

[Mike Buckley]

Thanks, everyone! This thread got revived because Chuck and I are sharing photos and information about the dogs. Be sure to check out his thread.

Chuck: I think the reason their eyes don't stand out well is because they are dark and with very little contrast throughout the entire eye.

[Teton Chuck]

I agree Mike. I wounder what there night vision is like.

[Rita]

Not only a good set of images but an informative commentary as well.

[gregj1763]

Stunning images Mike, and I love the playfulness in #4

[Mike Buckley]

Thank you to Greg and Rita.