Vhanganyeta
Sony A1, FE 70-200mm, F2.8 GM OSS II, FL: 200mm, S: 1/320, F3.2, ISO: 6400.
The pup turns his teeth, flashing at the Alpha female, his mother, indicating his displeasure for her to join the feast.
Vhanganyeta means to “grab” in Tsonga.
It was all about the moment and the opportunity as night fell. For this wild dog pack, they were lucky; the antelope had mistakenly looped around, avoiding the chase of the lead hunters, but had run straight into the remaining pack that was resting in the encircled bush. She was dispatched immediately, and the pack, ravenous by now, had set up a watchful perimeter of adults who guarded the pups, allowing them to start their first serving of a vital meal in the bush. A minute or two later, the Alpha female - the pack leader - turned and made her way to join the pups at their meal. It was her prerogative to do so, as she was the only one who could provide for the growth of the wild dog population in this pack and thus secure the longevity of this very special group. But she was challenged by one of her own pups. Food was the elixir of their lives too, and the rules of the pack were to provide food for the youngest first. She could have easily torn the little pup away, but she understood the consequence and stood there for another minute or two before the pups opened up a space for her to eventually join.
While it looks gruesome, the rules of this species are there to secure the longevity of what is now an almost extinct and highly endangered animal. The wild dog or painted wolf is often misunderstood for its oddly honest behaviour and nature to survive a pack, such as for feeding: youngsters first, then alpha females, then the others in social order. Without such order, the fragile world of their survival would all but collapse, so observing this behaviour actually instills confidence in the logic of how nature works to protect a species.
Wild Dog: Extinction Looms
The African Wild Dog, also known as the African Hunting Dog or Painted Dog, roams as one of the continent's most endangered carnivores. This remarkable canid species thrives in diverse habitats, from dense forests to expansive plains, showcasing its adaptability and resilience.
In South Africa, the population of these magnificent animals is alarmingly low, with fewer than 650 individuals remaining in the wild. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) estimates that there are only about 6,600 mature African wild dogs left in the world, spread across 39 subpopulations.
Their natural habitats are vast and sparsely populated, with the largest known range spanning 43,000 square kilometers and hosting only 800 individuals. This underscores the challenges these animals face in their struggle for survival and highlights the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect them.
Raw Africa Collection
Welcome to Africa - the wise, the restless, the life giving.
This soulful land of dreamers gives rise to the underbelly of a beautiful gentle beat that is only heard by those who listen for it. This photographic journey explores, profiles and captures what I hope is the heart and soul of Africa's true wilderness kingdom. From its deep bush to its dry savannah and desert, Africa remains a place where life is represented by timeless vistas that are distilled into moments to treasure.
