This is one of those rarer sightings: brown spotted hyenas. Mike and Uyai, as well as our colleagues at the MRL lodge, know about this den on the Blauwbank portion of the reserve. Though it is far away from our lodge (meaning we have to base our entire safari around this sighting), they try to go there regularly to keep them as relaxed as they are right now. And they really are! One will not get closer to spotted hyenas pretty much anywhere else. These two cubs are just adorable, and our guests loved to observe them play around the game driver. They will grow up knowing that game drivers present no danger, and pass on that behavior to their offspring.
Hyenas are considered as non-threatened, but their numbers are on the decline in most of Africa. Only in South Africa are they rising in numbers, due to successful nature protection, of which our safari conservancy is a typical example (on a side note: what we do here is paramount to the long-term conservation of African nature, so all our guests are key to the success of what we do here). Up to 45,000 specimen of spotted hyenas are estimated to still exist in Africa. A relatively high number but obviously not a huge number. That said, it is one of the most common carnivore in Africa. Makes one realise how extremely threatened and rare all others have become.
Hyenas are very good hunters, running at speeds of up to 60km/hour, with great endurance. They have a very large heart, weighing in at about 1% of their total body weight, which is what gives them this endurance. A lion’s heart only weighs 0.45% of its total body weight, as an example.Their spots vary in color, pattern and size, and they tend to fade with age. On the photos below, one can see them very clearly, as these hyenas are still young cubs.
Many thanks to Uyai for taking these night photos. What a joy for everyone. Well done!
