Northern Kenya’s wild dog pack aptly named ‘The Phoenix Pack’ because they did just that…rose from the ashes. Wild dog have been listed as an endangered species since 1990 and, in northern Kenya, the wild dog population was pretty much annihilated in 2017 due to an outbreak of canine distemper. Over the past 3-4 years, the Phoenix Pack have made a spectacular comeback to a healthy number. Here, a group of youngsters checks out a remote camera on the ground.

Get up close and personal with an endangered species.

Wild Dog Pack - Laikipia, Northern Kenya

The Phoenix Pack

Kenya’s famous wild dogs.

In Ancient Greek folklore, the phoenix is a bird that regenerates from the ashes of its predecessor. You’ve probably heard the phrase ‘rising from the ashes.’ Well, meet Northern Kenya’s wild dog pack aptly named ‘The Phoenix Pack’ because they did just that…rose from the ashes. Wild dog have been listed as an endangered species since 1990 and, in northern Kenya, the wild dog population was pretty much annihilated in 2017 due to an outbreak of canine distemper. Being susceptible to various types of canine diseases, the dogs contracted distemper from herder dogs which had moved into their territory. The entire population of wild dog across Laikipia, which consisted of numerous packs across large areas, died except for very few survivors from different packs. Over the past 2-3 years, the Phoenix Pack have made a spectacular comeback to a healthy number.