They may be less formidable than the lion, less cryptic than the leopard, and less carnal than the hyena, but wild dogs are nonetheless the most successful hunters in the African bush. Weighing in at only 20-30kg, it is speed, agility and teamwork that allows these smaller predators to regularly bring down prey such as impala, and keep the big predators of the bush at bay!
The matriarch of a wild dog pack has delivered a litter of pups. Now, it is up to the entire pack to ensure their safety. As a close-knit team, they hunt relentlessly to feed the growing pups and their nursing mother, but their enemies surround them. Lions, leopards and hyena present a constant threat, and the pack is permanently on guard.
When disaster strikes, every member of the pack must risk its life to save the next generation. Witness the extraordinary world of wild dogs in this intimate journey into the heart of the pack.
This documentary makes extensive use of hidden cameras, including one in the underground den, used to film the alpha female giving birth.
Some of the best footage on this DVD includes:
- the birth of the puppies
- their diet: the change from milk to solids
- pack routines and rituals
- solitary and pack hunting
- regurgitation after a successful hunt
- the pack’s distress when lions kill one of the male dogs
- puppies being moved between dens
- the pack fighting off a lion over a carcass.
Filmed by Peter and Stefania Lamberti on location in South Africa.
Narrated by Tom Fairfoot.
Produced by Aquavision (2002) for National Geographic.
Review:
“As soon as I had watched this, I watched it again, it was a really lovely film! It showed me lots of new things about these dogs. It covers the whole life cycle of these dogs by following the birth and development of the pups. One of the nicknames for the African wild dog is ‘Painted Wolf’ and it’s easy to see why. I’m sure I will watch this film again many more times and I hope to discover other films about these dogs too”.
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