4 Rivers is currently home to an extraordinary pack of African wild dogs with a highly leucistic puppy. Local researchers confirmed this is extremely rare and virtually unheard of in Botswana in the past 30 years or so.
In the 1990s, guides first spotted leucistic pups in the Kwando region. Males from the Kwando pack dispersed. Those males, identified by photos, established a group dubbed the Golden Pack in the Vumbura area. Some female descendants from this Golden Pack started another family in Kwara, where the leucism was still evident but somewhat diluted.
Leucism tends to be a lack of melanin in skin, feathers or hair. Melanin is the natural pigment responsible for most brown and black colouration. It is primarily genetic and varies in degree, going as far as pure white in rare cases (like this one at 4 Rivers) or as with the Vumbura "golden" dogs, which are a pale tan tone.
Currently, the puppy is interacting normally with its siblings and adult Painted wolves (as African wild dogs are also known). Although this little one is anything but painted! If anything, it's dominant in the hierarchy regarding receiving food from the adults! This pup might darken as it ages, and there is an outside chance that its whole body is one big white patch, which sometimes happens with domestic dogs and cats. We will keep a close eye to see how its colour develops.
Thanks to Botswana's expert researchers for their insight! Dr Peter Apps, Dr John Tico McNutt, Dr Gabriele Cozzi, Botswana Predator Conservation.
4 Rivers Camp - Kwara Private Concession
Quite simply, the Okavango Delta is one of the greatest wildlife-watching destinations on earth, and this secluded camp is no exception.
Set on the fringes of the Tsum Tsum Channel and true to traditional bush spirit, 4 Rivers is a small, ecologically-sensitive solar-run camp honouring its World Heritage Site setting. This area is a refuge to stunning biodiversity: African wild dogs, lions, elephants, leopards, sable antelope and more.
Off-roading with Kwando's signature guide and tracker duos dramatically enhances every bush expedition, and night drives further unlock the hidden stars of a nocturnal safari. Then there are fantastic walking safaris and the classic Botswana experience: a silent safari in a traditional mokoro canoe.
www.kwando.co.bw/4-rivers
12 июл 2023
