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John Belchamber | profile | all galleries >> Galleries >> Luangwa 2017 - Anatomy of a Hunt tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Luangwa 2017 - Anatomy of a Hunt

Over a two hour period we were lucky enough to observe a Wild Dog hunt and kill of a single Puku. Given both the rarity of Wild Dogs and local guides knowledge and experience enabled us to be in the right place to observe this amazing set of events.
It started with a single Puku being isolated from the herd and with a pack of 6 Wild dogs in pursuit...here is where the photo's take over.
Puku on the run
Puku on the run
Leaping through the lagoon
Leaping through the lagoon
The pack have the scent
The pack have the scent
One brave female makes the leap
One brave female makes the leap
Whilst the rest await on the bank, wary of the crocodiles.
Whilst the rest await on the bank, wary of the crocodiles.
She's made it across and now closing in for the first time
She's made it across and now closing in for the first time
The puku has the edge as the water is deep
The puku has the edge as the water is deep
Still above water
Still above water
Making its escape
Making its escape
Couldn't quite get close enough
Couldn't quite get close enough
Giving Up?
Giving Up?
Puku has second wind
Puku has second wind
But female wild dog doesn't give up that easily
But female wild dog doesn't give up that easily
Everybody seems caught up in the drama
Everybody seems caught up in the drama
And still the puku runs
And still the puku runs
But the dog is getting closer
But the dog is getting closer
Still cautious and still away from the kill and nervous from the croc and the recently raised water levels.
Still cautious and still away from the kill and nervous from the croc and the recently raised water levels.
Moving forward into the deeper water
Moving forward into the deeper water
Making the leap
Making the leap
And closing in for the capture
And closing in for the capture
Puku still fighting but getting weaker
Puku still fighting but getting weaker
Wild Dog tries to drown the prey
Wild Dog tries to drown the prey
But still fighting
But still fighting
Finally she gets a grip
Finally she gets a grip
With this grip the puku's fate is sealed
With this grip the puku's fate is sealed
And the dragging to shore starts
And the dragging to shore starts
The dog and the dead puku
The dog and the dead puku
With the rest of the pack on the other shore protecting the Prey becomes critical
With the rest of the pack on the other shore protecting the Prey becomes critical
But finally she leads the pack back to the kill
But finally she leads the pack back to the kill
And despite a large crocodile emerging nearby all the Herd safety across and feeding.
And despite a large crocodile emerging nearby all the Herd safety across and feeding.
The Alpha Male finally get's his share.
The Alpha Male finally get's his share.