The photo above is of an African Wild Dog (some people call them painted dogs). They are critically endangered, with only around 5,000 of them left in the wild. And we were privileged enough to observe a pack while in the Kalahari region of South Africa. This particular pack was at their den, where they had a recent litter of pups stashed. The pups were still young enough that they had not ventured out of the den, so although we could hear them, we never had the opportunity to view them.
African wild dogs are an amazing species. They exist in hierarchical packs of 6-20, lead by an alpha mating pair. For such a relatively small predator, they have a very high hunting success rate of 80%. Lions are only successful in 30% of their hunts. Each dogs coat pattern is unique, like a fingerprint, making it easy to distinguish individuals by sight. They are extremely intelligent.
Wild Dogs know instinctually that their survival depends on their pack-- on who they surround themselves with. There are a lot of lessons we can learn from these animals but today I want to focus on what we can learn from them about successful friendship, or in African Wild Dog terms-- the importance of a good pack.
Lesson Number One: There's no room for fighting or jealousy in a Pack. There is no fighting over food. The pack is hierarchical. Everyone is clear on where they stand within the pack. And they all understand they will all get a turn at the dinner table, so to speak. Because of this feeling or knowledge of security of their place within the pack, they rarely show aggression towards each other (unlike Lions, who although they are in the same pride will not hesitate to snap at, snarl at, and even bite each other over even a tiny little scrap). The point is that they don't feel the need to be aggressive towards their pack members because they are secure in their place.
Lesson Number Two: It takes a Pack to raise kids. The pups, who are the weaker and most helpless members of the pack, come first. The whole pack participates in feeding and caring for the pups. When the pups are first born and totally reliant upon the mother for sustenance, the other pack members go out and hunt. They then return to the den site and regurgitate food for the alpha female so that she is well fed and able to care for the pups. When the pups are old enough to venture from the den and follow the pack, once the kill is made, all the adult pack members will then take on the role of guard duty while the pups eat first. They understand that they are all responsible for their young, and they take that role seriously. They all pitch in to help raise and nourish the youngsters, by providing them with food, guidance, and even discipline when needed. An alpha female can give birth to up to 10 pups, so she needs help in raising them. She can't do it on her own. And her pack steps in and helps pick up the slack.
Lesson Number Three: A Pack Takes Care of Each Other. When a member of the pack becomes ill, injured, or elderly-- restricting or even incapacitating their effectiveness as a hunter-- the whole pack cares for and feeds them, for as long as it takes or is needed. They all take on the role of helping out their fellow pack member.
Lesson Number Four: A Pack Encourages Each Other. African Wild Dogs are extremely communicative. They communicate by touch, actions, and vocalizations. Before a pack goes out on a hunt, they have a whole process where they build up excitement and encouragement within the pack. They start by circulating among their pack members while vocalizing and touching. Kind of like cheering each other on, building each other up, and preparing each other to go out and have a successful hunt. When every pack member is showing the same amount of excitement and confidence, they take off and begin the hunt.
Lesson Number Five: A Pack is excited to see each other. Wild Dogs have elaborate greeting rituals. African Wild Dog packs are extremely social, and their social bonds make them strong. Sometimes, especially when there are pups, only a few members of the pack go out hunting or patrolling their territory. We were lucky enough to witness what happens when members who have been gone return to the pack. Before the members even join up, they start to announce their excitement at returning to their pack. You can hear them yipping and making a sound called twittering as they race towards their pack members. Upon their return, the whole pack gathers around each other, touching, smelling and vocalizing. Basically, they are announcing how excited they are to be together again. They are re-affirming their pack bonds. Their enthusiasm and excitement at seeing each other is an incredible thing to witness. It's a loud, happy, homecoming, and it's quite amazing!
Lesson Number Six: Communication is key to a successful Pack. Experts agree that one of the keys to the African Wild Dogs hunting success is their use of constant communication. Throughout a hunt they constantly communicate with each other vocally in order to work together towards a common goal. They are always letting their pack mates know where they are and what they are doing. They encourage each other, they greet each other. Communication is a consistent part of their social structure. They instinctively understand that strong pack bonds are only formed through consistent and open communication.
The Last Lesson is a sad one, but it is important nonetheless. Lesson Number Seven: What you bring to the Pack can cause it to be destroyed. I have kept in contact with some of the places and people we met in Africa through Facebook and other methods and I was greatly saddened to learn this year that this pack of African Wild Dogs recently all died of distemper. You see, African Wild Dogs are of the canine species, and as such, are susceptible to the same diseases that affect domesticated dogs. However, the African Wild Dogs genetic make up differs enough from that of domestic dogs that vaccinations and treatments that work successfully on domestic dogs do not work on Wild Dogs. So what happened is that one of the members of this African Wild Dog pack came into contact with a domestic species that was infected with this virus and became infected. And that's all it took. That one member then brought back that infection to the pack, and due to their extremely social nature, it didn't take much time for the whole pack to become infected and succumb to the disease.
So that's it, lessons on relationship and friendship as taught to me by an amazing pack of African Wild Dogs. I'll end this blog with last piece of encouragement and advice: Find your pack. It doesn't have to be a big pack, some of the most successful Wild Dog packs consist of only 6 members. Remember that it takes some work and investment on your part to form the solid pack bonds-- don't be a lazy pack member. Spending time together and communicating openly and honestly to each other re-enforces your bonds. Encourage your pack members. Help your pack members out when they are struggling-- don't be afraid to step in and be there when your pack members face hard things. A successful pack allows you to feel secure in your membership of the pack-- there's no room for fighting or jealousy. Your pack should provide a place where you can be honest and true without feeling unsafe. There should be safety in numbers-- safety in your pack. And make sure that you are careful of what you bring back to the pack-- don't bring your jealousy, bitterness, pettiness, judgement, gossip, etc. back to the pack. Many packs break up because of the disease of anger and un-forgiveness. In other words, don't bring distemper to your pack. We all need a pack-- life is better together. I would be remiss if I didn't mention my pack-- not by name-- you know who you are. I am blessed with an amazing, life-giving, supportive, fantastic, talented group of pack members. I couldn't get through life without them, and they are one of my greatest joys! I love you PACK!!!!
I'll leave you with a few more photos of these incredible animals. Have a good day!
This is a wide angle of where the African Wild Dogs had their den site.... it had just rained and this rainbow popped out. You can see bits of the dogs huddled together under the tree. Just stunning, breathtaking landscape!
And this was the sunset shortly after our interaction with the Wild Dogs... and I included it because it was just wow!!!! and a perfect ending to an incredible day. I still dream of Africa.....
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