A family of wild dogs – the Hot Springs Pack – lives in a pristine corner of Zambia’s Luangwa Valley. The alpha female has pups in the den, the latest of several litters she and her lifelong partner have had together. Many of the older pups are still in the pack – they help out with babysitting and with bringing in enough food to feed the family. The pack is strong with lots of experienced hunters. Wild dogs hunt in a team – a well-co-ordinated squad that chases down prey. They’re long-distance
runners, and take it in turns to lead the pursuit. As one dog tires, another steps up… they never take the pressure off their quarry. Their secret weapon is team spirit. The pack is led by an alpha pair but there’s little aggression among wild dogs. They play together frequently, reinforcing the bonds that keep the family strong.