Wild Dogs Unite Against Impalas To Steal Prey
Transcript
00:00 [Music]
00:10 Impala herds grazing on the open grasslands are a common sight in the Kalahari.
00:15 Years of predation pressure have turned these timid animals into anything but an easy catch.
00:23 Wild dogs, these are now among the rarest of Africa's mammals,
00:27 but they're nonetheless the continent's most efficient predators.
00:33 Their secret is teamwork. Impala are their favorite prey.
00:41 They start the hunt and the pack splits up.
00:46 An aerial viewpoint gives a new insight into their strategy.
00:52 As the dogs approach their prey, they peel off to take up separate positions around their target.
00:58 Looks like they're setting up an ambush around the impala.
01:01 Moving in total silence, they take up their positions.
01:04 Those ears can detect the slightest rustle.
01:12 The hunt is on. Their hugely powerful thighs and flexible legs propel them gracefully into the air,
01:20 giving them almost unparalleled chomping ability.
01:23 A sudden explosion of impala scattering in all directions is a deliberate tactic to confuse their hunters.
01:32 The dog has stamina. The impala, speed.
01:37 But against wild dogs, some of nature's greatest runner's speed just isn't enough.
01:50 The impala's impressive hurtling has left the wild dogs standing by the riverside.
01:55 Leaping into the lake is an act of desperation.
01:59 Impala can barely swim. The dogs know their prey must come out or drown.
02:07 Now it's a waiting game. The rest of the pack are calling.
02:16 They've made a kill in the forest and this is an invitation to join in the meal.
02:26 The impala is in luck. A pack of wild dogs kills once a day and everything is share.