Wild Dog Pupdate

We have Wild Dog news that is both good and bad. Beginning with the sad news, I am sorry to have to report that we have lost another dog. This time, Carat, a subordinate dog who was wearing a collar, was picked up as being away from the pack and stationary for a couple of days. This usually only means one thing so we went in knowing to expect the worst. Harriet, the head of the Carnivore Conservation Group at EWT tracked the collar until she could hear she was almost on top of it, and then saw the badly chewed collar lying in the grass. There was no sign of a body at all, and it may be that the collar had been carried by a hyaena or lion for some distance from where poor Carat met his end. Unfortunately we have no way of knowing what the cause of death was, and the Venetia pack has now dwindled to only 3 adults and one yearling.

Venetia Wild Dogs on the move.

The good news is…. we think that Stellar, the alpha female, is now underground in her den with this year’s litter of puppies. The dogs are sticking closely to one area and Stellar has not been seen for a few days. She was certainly pregnant and this is the right time of year for denning so we are very hopeful. Had she also met a grisly end, we would not expect the rest of the pack to remain in such a close area. I will keep you posted on the puppies that may well bring the Venetia pack back from the brink.

Last year’s litter of puppies, of which only one, Rory, is remaining.