Wild Dogs in Tsavo!

  No matter how many times I come here, Africa always has a way of surprising. We got a big surprise on our morning game drive in Tsavo West National Park. We were lucky enough to have a chance encounter with one of the rarest mammals you can see in the world, African wild dogs. There are only an estimated 5,000 wild dogs left in the wild. I didn't even know that seeing wild dogs in Tsavo West was a possibility, and there is a good reason for that.

  
  For many years people tried their best to eradicate these beautiful animals, also known as painted dogs. They were considered vermin. In fact, wild dogs were absent from Tsavo West for the past 20 years because of this cultural attitude. However, recently two small groups of these pack hunters have been seen ranging through the park. Normal pack numbers can range in the 30-40+ for these dogs, however here in Tsavo both groups seen recently are under 10 animals.

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  We had just wrapped up watching a troop of baboons off the side of the dirt path when we chanced upon the wild dogs. The came strolling down the path towards us, not seeming to mind us in the least. The stopped and checked there surroundings, and definitely seemed to communicate through looks and motions with each other. They got quite close to us before veering off into the tall grass. We continued to watch in awe as the passed us, possibly looking for their next meal.

   After the wild dogs disappeared into the bush we looked around, noticing that no other car was in sight. It was a chance, private, unique experience that will only be shared by the six of us. I can easily count the number of times I have seen wild dogs on one hand. This is the beauty of Tsavo West and safariing in Kenya. There are still wild places, and we were realizing that it doesn't get much wilder than this.

   Until a few minutes later when we were charged by a bull elephant...