It’s not the leopard, not even the tiger. The deadliest assassins in the Indian Jungles are Wild Dogs or Indian Dholes (Cuon alpinus). The have the best strategy for hunting – team work.
Their communication skills are fantastic, whistling sometimes, and just intuitive co-ordination at others.
A pack of 14 wild dogs were sighted regularly around Mulapur area of Bandipur National Park. Unlike tigers and leopards, wild dogs in a pack of this size hunt almost everyday. Wild dogs can hunt down prey much larger than their size, and they commonly feast on Sambar and Spotted deers.
An alpha dog leads the attack, and keeps an eye for prey, and threats from other predators.
On a particular day, the pack of 14 dogs showed a remarkable strategy. The divided into two groups of 7 each, and were pursuing Chitals. We were tracking two packs, and the spotted deer for nearly an hour.
Usually found in herds of 10 or more, these two Chitals were separated from the herd by the pack. Their anxious look is evident in the image.
Tall lantana bushes made us lose track of a pack of 7 dogs, and the chitals. Half an hour later, we caught the two packs uniting – one pack well fed, evident from their belly, and the other still looking for a meal.
A Red-Wattled Lapwing chick became the casuality. Within few seconds, right in front of my eyes, the chick was caught and feasted on even as the hapless mother Lapwing looked on (in the background, left of the tree trunk).
Krupakar and Senani have a wonderful documentary, Wild dog diaries, on these predators at Bandipur produced for National Geographic. They were filming the second series of this documentary at the park this time, and i’m sure this pack of 14 dogs will be taking a center stage. I got a chance to meet the wonderful duo at their home – a memory i’ll cherish forever.
On ICUN endangered species list, Indian Dholes are on recovery mode. There are at least 4 packs in the Bandipur tourist area, and is good to see them thrive.
you are becoing a pro san… :) awesome info and pics! :D
we saw a pack in Kabini last time we were there
What an experience you’v had..! Stopping complaining about not getting a decent tiger pic! Uv been lucky enough :p
wonderful info and superb pics!
Heh never thought they would catch a red-wattled lapwings chick. Very nice account
and i second what adarsh says ..:)
awesome!!! loved all the pics as well as your narration!
Anu
http://anushankarn.blogspot.com
Exciting trip and lovely snaps.
Nice pics :) guess u couldnt find such in Netherland :P
u have been awarded
you scarin’ us?
BTW, nice blog
What fantastic pictures! It must be exciting getting so close to the animals!
Nisrine