Wild Dogs, Klipspringers & an Evening at MalaMala

Who’s on the Podcast

Steff McWilliam – Ranger at MalaMala Game Reserve, South Africa

Steff McWilliam is a MalaMala ranger with a background in hands-on wildlife conservation and rehabilitation. Her work has included raising Cape clawless otters at the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital and contributing to Sunda pangolin conservation in Vietnam.

Recorded while out on drive, this episode of Sundowner Sessions begins with two missing lion cubs. The young lions have not been seen with the rest of the pride and are jokingly declared “at large” while Steff plans the evening’s search along the banks of the Sand River..

From there, she recalls one of the most memorable sightings of her guiding career: 21 wild dogs pursuing a family of three klipspringers along the Mluwati River.

With the pack closing in, the klipspringers raced towards a granite outcrop. Each arrived from a different direction but found the same narrow ledge, just beyond the dogs’ reach.

For around 45 minutes, the young klipspringer remained still, watching his parents and following their example. The adult wild dogs soon realised the family was unreachable and moved on. The younger dogs were far less willing to give up.

“It was so much more than a sighting. It was such an amazing insight into the behavior of these animals.”

The encounter revealed how well the klipspringers understood both their territory and the predator pursuing them. Steff explains that the ledge may have protected them from wild dogs, but it would not necessarily have offered the same safety from a leopard or lion.

She was particularly struck by the young klipspringer, whose instinct would have been to run. Instead, he remained still and looked to his parents for guidance. It was a remarkable example of how young animals learn from the behaviour of the adults around them.

Steff admits guides try not to choose between predator and prey, but on this occasion, she was “heavily, heavily invested” in the klipspringers.

The conversation also explores Steff’s conservation work with Sunda pangolins in Vietnam. Unlike the ground pangolins found in South Africa, these smaller Asian pangolins are excellent tree climbers and are among the species most affected by illegal wildlife trafficking.

Steff also shares why otters remain her favourite animals after helping to raise two Cape clawless otters at the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital. She describes them as intelligent, dexterous, skilled problem-solvers and undeniably naughty.

There are lighter moments too, including Steff revealing her MalaMala call sign, answering a very South African pronunciation question and giving a surprisingly convincing baby rhino impression.

Warm, knowledgeable and quick to laugh, Steff offers an engaging glimpse into life behind the wheel at MalaMala and the wildlife observations, stories and humour that shape each drive.

Listen Now!

Follow Steff’s Adventures

Follow @wild_is_life for more wildlife encounters and everyday moments from Steff’s life as a ranger at MalaMala.