Pack of Wild Dogs Ford a Flooded River in South Africa
(Picture Credit: Staffan Widstrand / Getty Images)
At the Klaserie River Safari Lodge in Hoedspruit, South Africa, lodge guests watched an amazing sight: a pack of wild African dogs crossing a flooded river.
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In a Facebook video on the company’s account, you can see well over a dozen dogs paddle across the “swollen Klaserie river.” Amazingly, most of the dogs ford across the rushing river, avoiding debris and churning water. However, one dog struggled to keep up with the pack and fell behind. For a moment, the worst seemed possible. Thankfully, however, the last dog found a burst of energy that helped them make it to the riverbank.
According to UPI, “ It was a heart-stopping moment as the dogs used their powerful legs and streamlined bodies to stay afloat and make it to safety.” Indeed, it really is inspiring to see these dogs working together as a unit and overcoming such daunting obstacles. As the article stated, “ It was a reminder of the importance of teamwork and resilience, and the incredible strength of these clever canines.”
Climate Change Continues To Endanger Wild Dogs, and Domestic Ones Too
As majestic as these wild dogs in Africa are, it’s important to consider their fragile ecosystems. Unfortunately, small gradual changes in temperature have permanently altered these wild dogs’ physiology, and now it’s starting to endanger them. In that vein, videos such as this one are reminders that these animals face enough danger as it is. As such, we should all do our part to work towards protecting the climate. Otherwise, a few generations from now, the only wild African dogs left will be in zoos—hopefully.
Of course, climate change doesn’t just affect wild dogs. Even our own dogs are beginning to feel the effects of a warming planet. Additionally, there’s a lot of debate about what being a ‘green’ dog owner looks like. Should you stop using poop bags? Should you feed your dog food from a lab? Amongst all the uncertainty, it’s important to remember that what’s good for the planet is also good for your dog.
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