Mammals: Interesting or Unusual Behaviour

[Duke]

Very interesting FC. Can't wait to see pics.

[nan]

oups one dead... one seriously injured
what a sighting

me too can't wait to see the pictures

[Sprocky]

Welcome back FC!

Sounds very interesting, hope you got some pics for us.

[Richprins]

Hello, fc!

Never heard of this!

Maybe give a pic and I'll send it on!

It is not breeding season..can only think it is a leadership crisis with an alpha female missing somewhere? They have incredibly complex social structures!

They are also susceptible to rabies, and if one of the leaders goes crazy that can upset the apple cart?

[Flutterby]

Sounds like an amazing sighting fc!!

[Lisbeth]

A question of territory

[Richprins]

A question of territory

That would be wonderful, Lis, as it would indicate some sort of overabundance of wild dog in the area at last!

However, this would be almost uncharted territory, as they are so nomadic and fragile, their system is directed at avoiding conflict...they have enough problems with other carnivores as it is! (a bit like cheetah.)

Prey density is also not a problem, I think, especially with the Impala lambing!

One can google this to death, but the fact is wild dog are still pretty mysterious to science in the wild, and the other various populations in Africa are mostly free-roaming, compared to Southern Kruger's being hemmed in by human settlements. They don't take much note of fences.

A conundrum!

[flying cheetah]

From what I saw I cannot believe that these animals try to avoid any conflicts. Even the young dogs of the attacked pack joined the fight and one of them ended with a bad injury as I saw him limping away on three legs. He found cover in the bush but his howling could be heard for a good while and I'm nearly sure that another predator got onto him. I'm nearly sure that it was a territory conflict but from what I heard I don't think that both packs were fighting with all their members. Maybe this sighting could also be a sign that the wild dog population in Kruger is increasing

I don't have good pics of this sighting as there was so much commotion and I tried to follow the action as much as possible . But I will post some pics of the first pack before they were attacked as soon as I have more time

[nan]

[Lisbeth]

Adapt or Die: A Trunk-Squirting Elephant’s Story of Survival - by: Marlon du Toit

I was rounding a bend yesterday afternoon when I spotted an elephant bull quenching its thirst from a small pool. I immediately noticed that half of this elephant’s trunk was missing…
A snare wound, a natural injury or even a birth deficiency could have caused this. At first it seemed clear that he was struggling to drink, his trunk did not reach his mouth – it was short by almost a metre yet strangely I could see him swallowing.



This is when I realised that the young elephant had adapted to his disability in the most incredible way!
Somehow, he had to bridge the gap between his mouth and the tip of his trunk – he did this by squirting the water through a tiny hole in his trunk, bullseye into the middle of his mouth. His accuracy was alarming! Can you believe it? I was utterly astounded by this behaviour, and in all my years working as a game ranger it was definitely a first for me. Instead of suffering from thirst, this guy had it all figured out.


Nature is incredible and will keep surprising me day after day. This sighting is a true story of success and an inspiration to have the courage to keep fighting for survival.
http://blog.africageographic.com/safari ... -survival/