Watch the video here:
Nic Coleman submitted this footage to Latest Sightings. He filmed his encounter with this bold African wild dog while conducting a game drive.
Curious canine
We join the action in Nic’s footage to see a strange situation unfolding. An African wild dog appears fascinated by the front tyre of Nic’s game drive vehicle.
African wild dogs are one of the continent’s most endangered large predators. Experts estimate that as few as 6,000 of these beautifully marked animals still exist in the wild.
What’s going on there?
Subsequently, Nic extended his camera to the side of the vehicle, hoping to see just what had caught the dog’s attention. What it revealed was somewhat concerning.
Although we can’t see it clearly, the animal seems fascinated by the tyre’s valve stem, the small protrusion used to inflate the tyre.
As the video progresses, it becomes apparent that the dog is attempting to bite the valve stem. As you can imagine, if the dog damaged the stem, it would puncture the tyre.
Not necessarily a situation you want to find yourself in with predators at close proximity!
That said, it’s worth noting that no records exist of wild dogs attacking humans. But still…
Can’t get a grip
As it tries to grip the valve in its teeth, the dog whines in frustration. This is obviously a material that it is not familiar with.
Nevertheless, Nic wisely decides that he needs to put an end to this. Accordingly, he calls out, and the dog instantly stops, alerted by the new sound.
Back at it
However, when no further sounds are heard, the dog soon turns its attention back to the tyre. For reasons best known to the dog, it has a peculiar obsession with an object that can’t taste good.
Escalation
When his voice fails to deter the determined dog, Nic decides to escalate his warning. So, leaning forward in his seat, he bangs on the side of the vehicle.
In response, the dog is mildly alarmed and jumps back from the tyre. It seems as if it is confused as to what is causing all the ruckus.
Thankfully, the noise is sufficient to distract the dog, and it backs up slightly to assess the situation. As relatively small predators, wild dogs need to be on the alert at all times to avoid life-threatening injuries.
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Was that you?
Perplexed, the dog looks about for the cause of the disturbance. At one point, he looks towards where Nic’s tracker would sit.
After finding no further cause for alarm, the dog nonetheless remains on the alert. Importantly, from Nic’s perspective, he has stopped chewing at the crucial valve.
No good can come of this
As the video draws to its conclusion, the dog is last seen seemingly pondering his options. Should it have another go at the troublesome tyre?
Or should it head off in search of something more appetising? And tasty. How about a juicy impala or a succulent warthog?
One thing is for sure: no good can come from chewing or becoming overly familiar with anything human-related.
