Loisaba Dog Den
It had been a number of weeks since we had regular sightings of our resident pack of Wild Dog. They had denned the previous March and although it was now January we suspected that they were dening somewhere on the property. This was going to be no easy task but a number of the pack had radio transmitters in the shape of collars which gave us a head start. It would probably have been an impossible task had it not been for these devices as we were searching an area of 150 sq kilometers.
We started by finding out where all the recent sightings were concentrated. With the help of our guides, herders and security rangers we pin pointed an area on our southern boundary where the signal strength was the strongest.
I was ashamed to say that I had not really explored this side of the ranch and had already been at Loisaba for almost a year. The shame increased when I saw just how beautiful terrain was and promised myself that I would explore the area on my bike whenever I had a free moment. Fortunately over the next few weeks I would indeed get to know the area rather well.
I was with Ant Kachula a Zimbabwean guide who had come to Loisaba to give some valuable guide training as well as helping out at the lodge. It was his enthusiasm which had really started the ball rolling and the next thing I knew was a shrieking coming from my phone alarm at 5 in the morning. There was no time for such pleasantries as coffee and we clambered into the Land Rover in the darkness to take the 40 minute journey to the southern boundary. I have to say that Ant’s enthusiasm waned on me somewhat at this time of the morning. It was dark, cold and my back was aching as he negotiated his way through the rough bush roads. I was actually wishing that I had taken the driving duty as at least I would have been able to hold on to something.
After 40 minutes we were finally at the end of the road quite literally and Ant pointed out where we would head on foot. I have to admit that at this point it finally dawned on me that this was going to be a hell of a lot harder than I thought. The terrain was very rough going with Wait A Bit Trees constantly snagging you and loose scree like ground which was constantly tripping you up. Not only was it difficult bush to walk through but there was also the added danger of walking into Elephant or Buffalo and we had nothing to protect ourselves with. Marry all of this with a Zimbabwean who took on all the attributes of a Klip Springer I have to admit my mood was as dark as the morning that we were immersed in.
We (I) struggled on stopping every 200 yards to look through the binoculars and I was beginning to think this was a futile exercise until Ant suddenly stopped. He thought that he had seen a head pop up from a hole which was a good 300 yards away. We both scanned the area and there low and behold was the site of two wild dog puppies. At first I could not believe my eyes but then came two adult dogs. They were popping in and out of what looked like a series of wart hog holes which were situated on the edge of a small dried up gorge. It was such a wonderful feeling and there were huge smiles all round. Now we needed to find a vantage point from which we could watch the pack from a safe distance as we did not want them to see us and abandon the den.
So with a sudden rush of adrenaline and joy we double backed climbing up the edge of an escarpment to a huge rock that we thought would give us the best view. If anything the terrain got worse but having found our quarry by now we were oblivious to the tearing bush and clambered on.
Having reached the rock outcrops high up on the escarpment we were sweating profusely and breathing hard but it was all worth it. Down below us we could see the pack and fleeting glimpses of the puppies which we were trying to count but it was so difficult as they were popping in and out of view. We finally managed a reliable count between us and we were calling out the numbers excitedly as the puppies trooped between two large bushes. We counted 10 but were fairly sure that there were more we could not see.
We sat high up watching for about 20 minutes and then the adults started moving down the gorge and into the valley. By this stage there were no more sightings of the puppies and it looked like they had gone to ground while the rest of the pack trotted off into the bush for a morning hunt.
It really was a special experience which I will not forget and we headed back to the land rover in very buoyant moods. Both of us were covered in cuts and scratches but we did not care. We had found the den.
Alastair Boyd - Lodge Manager
