Somkhanda - Wildlife ACT Wild dog monitoring

[kittykat23uk]

Here's a second video from the morning:

 

[kittykat23uk]

In the afternoon we stopped in to see Battie before heading off to track the dogs. On the way, Graeme stopped to get us to scan and was about to get out of the vehicle when Alex mentioned it might not be such a wise idea as he hadn't clocked a black rhino that was grazing close to the vehicle. We watched him for a while and he afforded us some nice views.

PC191091 Black rhino by Jo Dale, on Flickr

PC191093 Black rhino by Jo Dale, on Flickr

PC191100 Black rhino by Jo Dale, on Flickr

The dogs were back in thick cover in the same place as the previous night. They emerged at sundown and headed back towards their kudu kill. At this point we had to leave them to it and head back towards the alternate gate along the ridge-line. First I spotted a pair of mountain reedbuck, probably the same pair from earlier. Further on I called a halt to the vehicle as the bright yellow eyeshine betrayed the presence of a large leopard! We were all so excited to see the prince of Somkhanda, who was just about close enough to pick out his spotted coat in the light of my small, but powerful torch beam. The leopard was crouched down and seemed to be glaring at us for disrupting his hunting activities. After a few seconds, he decided to slink off into the night.

We returned to camp and celebrated our sighting with a braai and some wine.

[Tdgraves]

Jo

 

I was wondering how they think the dogs will survive in such a small area? Was this mentioned at all?

[Peter Connan]

Wow, stunning black rhino and leopard on the same drive!

[kittykat23uk]

Thanks both. I asked how many dogs the reserve could support. Optimum level is either two small packs such as the current one or one large pack. There are other reserves like Zimunga that border Somkhanda and I doubt the electric fence would keep them in if they were determined to get out.

[Marks]

Impressive mud-caked rhino.

Thanks for the extra info!

[kittykat23uk]

Sunday 20th December

 

We found the dogs at about 06:30 down in the valley by the river bed. They soon disappeared up the hill though.

 

PC201105 African wild dog by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

PC201117 African wild dog by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

 

 

We spotted a herd of zebra on the way back against a nice backdrop of hills.

 

PC201126 Zebras by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

PC201135 Zebras by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

Near the main entrance was a mother white rhino and calf

 

PC201139 White rhino by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

Over lunch, our local Purple crested turaco finally obliged in good light.

 

Purple-crested turaco by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

We stopped for fuel and had to wait a while at the workshop in Somkhanda. Whilst we were waiting I spotted a very thin snake and went to get a closer look:

 

PC201165 Southern vine snake (twig snake) by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

It turned out to be a vine snake, I didn't realise at the time but this snake is quite venemous. Graeme said that "if you get bitten, you may as well go and lie under a tree," as there is no antivenom for this bite.

 

PC201177 Southern vine snake (twig snake) by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

We found the dogs in the valley again as they set out to hunt.

 

PC201184 African wild dog by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

PC201186 African wild dog by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

PC201207 African wild dog by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

PC201212 African wild dog by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

PC201223 African wild dog by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

PC201233 African wild dogs by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

 

 

One by one we watched them fan out up the hill. I commented that we had passed impala further along the valley before turning round, so I thought they might be going for those. They were, as it happens., but they were not successful . They moved up over a hill towards the fence bordering Zimanga. We lost sight of them at this point.

 

On the way back I spotlighted, and surprisingly picked out another feline form near to where the leopard was seen the previous night. It was most likely the same cat, but seemed smaller to my eyes. However, the cat disappeared over a hill before we could really get onto it.

[kittykat23uk]

A video from the afternoon:

 

[kittykat23uk]

Monday 21st December

 

Our final morning

 

Before dawn we spotted three white rhino as we entered via the alternate gate.

 

PC211257 White rhinos at sunrise by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

PC211263 White rhinos at sunrise by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

White rhinos at sunrise by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

PC211286 White rhinos by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

PC211289 White rhinos by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

PC211302 White rhinos by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

PC211310 White rhinos by Jo Dale, on Flickr

[kittykat23uk]

The dogs were in the riverbed in the valley and soon after we arrived they set about a playful game of chase.

 

PC211315 African wild dog by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5692/23766481770_6148622976_b.jpg[/img

]PC211319 African wild dog by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

PC211320 African wild dog by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

PC211327 African wild dog by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

PC211363 African wild dog by Jo Dale, on Flickr

 

They trekked along the hillside, hunting, but we lost sight of them and sadly at this point we had to say our farewells..

 

PC211338 African wild dog by Jo Dale, on Flickr

[TonyQ]

Your great photos of the dogs continues! An amazing one of the dog flying in the air.

That was a very thin snake - it sounds like a good job you kept your distance.

[kittykat23uk]

Thank you @@TonyQ, I really like that flying dog shot too. Well after we lost sight of the dogs it really was time to leave.

 

Our flight back to Johannesburg was quite eventful as we were caught in an almighty thunderstorm! They closed Johannesburg and we were diverted to Lanceria. At one point our flight suddenly dropped like a stone for a couple of metres before levelling out. To everyone's relief we landed safely and waited out the rest of the storm before heading back to Johannesburg. My connection was also delayed but in the end it didn't really matter as it just meant I had a bit less time to kick my heels in Schipol.

 

The End

[Marks]

Glad the turaco cooperated!

[Terry]

What a wonderful experience this trip has turned out to be for you! And for us also - riding along with you via this trip report.

So many beautiful pictures of the wild dogs. I have enjoyed them all.

 

Your photo of the Purple crested turaco is lovely. I really like the pictures of the rhinos with the back ground of the beautiful green hills covered with trees.

 

Your black rhino is special, thanks to the red mud bath.

 

Thanks for sharing you experience with us.

 

Terry

[TonyQ]

@@kittykat23uk

Thank you for a fascinating report on a really unusual trip. The dog sightings and photos are wonderful - and you also gave us a wide range of other treats. Superb!

[kittykat23uk]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it. I am just sitting in a hotel in Leh catching up on the last two weeks. Feeling knackered!!

[Tom Kellie]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it. I am just sitting in a hotel in Leh catching up on the last two weeks. Feeling knackered!!

 

~ @@kittykat23uk

 

Glad to know that your adventure has gone well.

Your ‘wild dog in flight’ images are SPLENDID!

Looking at them again, I'm deeply impressed.

Wishing you a trouble-free return journey!

Tom K.

[Big_Dog]

Great report! As others have said, the flying dog is an awesome shot.

[Earthian]

Seems like the flying dog picture is the star here. Great shot.

Read the report in one go. Fascinating and i felt that i was there with you every step. Great narration and photographs. Your attention to detail and recall is amazing. Do you keep notes?

The vine snake was creepy. No antivirus too.

 

Thank you for sharing. Enjoyed it immensely.