[zwartbles]

This morning's try by a sparrowhawk at keeping collared dove population under control. I've asked them to concentrate on wood pigeons but without success so far!

[landroverroy]

Good picture. Just a pity about the dove. But that's nature.

[zwartbles]

Saw a lot worse last week!!

[landroverroy]

Oh my goodness! What's happening there? I can't work out what's eating what.

[zwartbles]

A group of hyaena dining on an impala. I've just had two weeks doing wildlife photography in Africa ! Lots more if you want to see them!!

[Fleecewife]

A group of hyaena dining on an impala. I've just had two weeks doing wildlife photography in Africa ! Lots more if you want to see them!!

And there was me thinking you had hyenas at home!  Most people dislike hyenas, but I respect them.  They mop up the dead and dying and love their job - if the amount they laugh is anything to go by.  It's sad for the impala aka Africa's Mars bars...

[Black Sheep]

A group of hyaena dining on an impala. I've just had two weeks doing wildlife photography in Africa ! Lots more if you want to see them!!

Yes please [member=22960]zwartbles[/member] :-) It's been a few years since my last trip!

[zwartbles]

Here's a few but there are 2100 in total! Lots on my facebook page.

[zwartbles]

and

[zwartbles]

and

[zwartbles]

also

[Fleecewife]

I went years ago, just the once.  I loved the wild dogs but sadly they were dying off from distemper and I was told casually that it didn't matter as they were vermin anyway     I believe the dogs are now routinely vaccinated against distemper so numbers are going back up and they are being recognised as valuable members of the animal scene.  Did you see any large packs zwartbles?  There were only 5 animals left in the pack I saw.

[Black Sheep]

Thanks, lovely shots :-)

Rabies is another problem for wild dogs, can be picked up from jackals etc. Our pack was hit hard by an outbreak but has bounced back and are doing well - they all get vaccinations now, but it is a difficult and expensive job.

[zwartbles]

Rabies is the biggest threat disease wise. It would be nearly impossible to innoculate them in the wild. They have a huge range and kill by running prey until it is exhausted. They are not strictly dogs. Lycaon Pictus ( Painted Wolf? ) is the scientific name. Foot construction differs from ordinary dogs, they have only four toes. Where they are restricted in range size in fenced reserves they have learnt to kill prey by running them into the fences! Because of small size and weight compared to the big cats they cannot kill by suffocation, they just wait until their prey drops from exhaustion and then pile in and start to eat !!Very pretty though.

[arobwk]

How did Sparrowhawks go through Hyenas to African Wild Dogs?  No great matter:  thought I'd mention, for anyone interested in Hyenas, but not switched onto the new BBC1 Dynasties natural history series yet, that Hyenas will be featured soon (Sundays 20:00 hrs).  A trailer I happened to catch suggests it could throw an interesting light on the life of.  Haven't checked, but don't think it's the Hyena episode tonight.