VIDEO - Spotted Hyenas, Feeding Behaviour - Kenya

The video footage records the social interaction between hyena individuals when feeding.  The sequences were taken in Kenya and are of wild hyenas.  Unfortunately, the kill I observed was at night and most of the feeding occurred just before dawn on a rather dark and overcast day  :(  I was in Kenya mainly for still photography, so video footage was secondary.  Later, I will conduct a trip and only shoot video - and in much better light  :)

Spotted Hyenas, Feeding Behaviour - Kenya from Anaspides Photography on Vimeo.

Spotted Hyenas, Kenya - East Africa

Continuing with the African theme.  Despite vehicle issues and occasional appalling weather conditions, wildlife was plentiful. 

Whilst tracking cheetahs, I had observed a number of spotted hyenas and was keen to photograph some of the hyena behaviour at a den.  Finding a den isn’t that difficult if you have an off-road access permit; we were driving long distances daily and we already knew the location of three hyena dens.

LEFT:  An adolescent spotted hyena walks toward the camera.

Order Carnivora / Family Hyaenidae   - Hyenas

The family Hyaenidae consists of three species; each living within a broad habitat range within Continental Africa.  The smaller and shy brown hyena (Hyaena brunnea) occurs only in southern Africa and the Spotted Hyena (Crocuta crocuta) and the rarer Striped Hyena (Hyaena hyaena) inhabit East Africa.

Although the spotted hyena is not endangered – its numbers are actually increasing due to the decline in African wild dogs numbers, research is still conducted my scientists interested in hyena behaviour and population distribution.  Although not commonplace, you see the odd hyena sporting a fashion accessory in the name of research: a tracking collar that emits either a GPS location or a radio transmission beep so researchers can track the individual.

Social Behaviour

The spotted hyena is the most social of the Hyaenidae in that it has the largest group sizes and most complex social behaviours. Its social organisation is unlike that of any other Carnivore, bearing closer resemblance to that of primates (baboons and macaques) with respect to group-size, hierarchical structure, and frequency of social interaction among both kin and unrelated group-mates. However, the social system of the spotted hyena is openly competitive rather than cooperative, with access to kills, mating opportunities and the time of dispersal for males depending on the ability to dominate other clan-members. Females provide only for their own cubs rather than assist each other, and males display no paternal care. Spotted hyena society is matriarchal; females are larger than males, and dominate them.

A Highly Successful Animal

The spotted hyena is a highly successful animal, being the most common large carnivore in Africa. Its success is due in part to its adaptability, cunning and opportunism; it is both an efficient hunter and a scavenger, with the capacity to eat and digest skin, bone and other animal waste.

LEFT:  A spotted hyena carries the mane and mandible of a recently brought down and killed wildebeest.

In functional terms, the spotted hyena makes the most efficient use of animal matter of all African carnivores. The spotted hyena displays greater plasticity in its hunting and foraging behaviour than other African carnivores; it hunts alone, in small parties of 2-5 individuals or in large groups. During a hunt, spotted hyenas often run through ungulate herds in order to select an individual to attack. Once selected, their prey is chased over long distance, often several kilometers, at speeds of up to 60 km/h.

I witnessed several occasions when a pack of hyenas attempted to separate a young wildebeest from its mother, and I have a fond memory of a pack of ten hyenas trotting over a rise on a hill at dawn after a night’s long-range hunting patrol. 

I my next post, we will look at the mating rituals of the spotted hyena, delve a little deeper into their complex social behaviour and have a look at hyena pups within the den.

Toyota Landcruisers are Tough - Kenya, East Africa

If I hear this comment one more time I’ll scream….

Five weeks in Africa self drive can be very damaging to a motor vehicle, more so if you have an off road permit.  In Australia I own a Toyota Landcruiser which is an excellent vehicle and takes me to some out of the way places, but my vehicle is regularly maintained.  The rental vehicle in Africa was Toyota Landcruiser troop carrier.  In many respects a similar vehicle with the exception that this four wheel drive hadn’t been regularly maintained.

Australian Landcruisers Are Tough

The lineage of this vehicle was Australian and it had been purchased second hand from Telecom, the Australian communications company.  On the outside the 4X4 looked OK, and for the first week or so performed admirably.  But as time passed, problems began to present themselves.

LEFT: Field repairing the front left spring which began to break due to rough road conditions.  Masai Mara warriors watch as we work!

Apart from the usual flat tyres and getting stuck a few times in deep mud, we had more insidious issues.  The front springs were makeshift and had been replaced incorrectly; we were afraid that with the workload they would fall apart leaving us stranded in “lion country”.  Further, the roof hinges for the observation roof were damaged and rattling like chattering teeth and the attachment points of the bulbar to the chassis were loose due to poor welding.  Shock absorbers were – well let’s say they didn’t absorb anything at all!  But we continued using the vehicle until the inevitable occurred.

LEFT:  We wondered if "this" would be our Toyota in a year or so!

Mechanical Problems

BANG – while driving along the dirt track, the hinges of the roof hatch broke and the heavy metal hatch flew forward onto the bonnet (hood) of the Landcruiser.  It then hit the bull-bar which reflected the hatch back towards the windscreen – SMASH.  In 30 seconds the windshield was cracked and the hatch was lying loose.  Repairs were necessary so we drove to the nearest town and mechanical repair facility.   The name “repair facility” is erroneous, as these guys were not mechanics but locals who knew a little bit about mechanics – just enough to be dangerous.  They repaired the car for a few dollars and away we went satisfied that all was OK.

LEFT:  Field welding the bullbar back to the vehicle chassis.i

A few days later, BANG!!  We hit a hole in the ground and the vehicle lurched precariously to the side.  Inspecting the damage it was noted the bulbar now had fallen off the car, the rear tyre carrier had also broken away and the shock absorber – well what shock absorber!  It was gone.  Another visit to our newly made mechanical friends soon rectified the situation – for a few dollars.  The locals shrugged off our comment about regular maintenance, log books and the like – “Hey this Africa”  they chanted.

As we departed the repair facility, we could only wonder if this was going to be a regular affair.  A few days later as we crossed a rather deep and rocky river crossing – BANG!!  The vehicle sunk to the chassis in the centre of the river.  Our first thought was crocodiles, but there were none nearby.  We literally smashed the transmission repeatedly into forward and reverse as we attempted to extract ourselves from the hole.  BANG!!  Was that the drive shaft or the front diff hitting a submerged rock– who knows!  Climbing from the river we inspected the vehicle again.  The front springs were not looking healthy!  Further, the steering was suspect as the car veered sideways when driving.  Time to say hello to our local friends again and here the ominous words “Hey this is Africa” as we parted with a few more dollars….

This visit identified additional mechanical issues.  As we drove into the town locals jumped about and wildly pointed at the front wheels.  Alighting from our chariot to inspect the front wheels we were “delighted” to see that the right hand tyre was sitting at a crazy angle!!  The upper bearing had broken and wheel was about to vacate the car!

Authorized Toyota Repair Facility – Ahhh No

It soon became apparent that this was NOT an authorized Toyota repair facility as we watched the bearings being replaced.  The bearings were striped apart and placed on the sand – YES read sand.  They were then cleaned with petrol by a young African smoking a cigarette (I stood well away).  New grease was not applied to the bearings but rather they used the older sand-entrained grease.  When I mentioned this to the head mechanic, he quickly smeared some new grease over the older grease looking at me with a smile that said “Hey this is Africa”….. A few dollars and once again we were on our way!

The final straw was a few days later when we hit a rather large hole whiles travelling off-road.  BANG!!  Inspecting the car we noted more issues which included the front springs looking slightly “more” bent than what they were a week earlier.  We drove on but stopped when we noticed we no longer could hear a rattle that had been present for two weeks.  To our horror we found out why there was no rattle; the sidebar, which was the cause of the rattle, had vanished!  It must have fallen off on one of the river crossings!  We looked or the sidebar but never found it.

The vehicle served us for three weeks.  It was then decided, in lei of the amount of time being spent having the vehicle repaired, that it was prudent to rent another vehicle form Nairobi with a driver.  After this decision, our repairs ceased and although the local mechanics waved to us every time we passed through town, we never did stop to hear the words “Hey this is Africa” again.

LEFT:  Field repairs were a constant ordeal and we were always keeping an ear to the ground listening for something else falling off, or breaking on the vehicle.  Tyre repairs and changes were common and in "lion country" need to be done as quickly as possible,  Here a Masai Mara warrior lends a hand to Uwe as a damaged tyre is replaced.

Other Issues

Of course if the above mechanical issues were not enough to keep us on our toes, there were also battery problems.  The battery was new but the wires and alternator were old - very old!  I have SOG to thank for making a very robust knife tool (like a leatherman).  I used this on several occasions to repair the alternator and arc the battery terminals so the car would start!  I can remember at one stage we all were pushing the vehicle in an attempt to clutch start it, but it got away from us and started chugging along the track without its passengers; We were madly running after the car!!  An except from the movie flick "The Gods must be Crazy" crept into my mind as I clamored aboard.

But, as they say "this is Africa"...

The Three Brothers, Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) - Republic of Kenya

The small thermometer I had on my photo backpack said it was 45 degrees Celsius; I thought about repositioning the device, but then realized that it was already in the shade.

I was sitting in the rear of a Toyota Landcruiser crammed in amongst various pieces of photographic equipment, and a very large cooler which carried breakfast and lunch.  I’d been sitting here for 3 hours watching three young cheetahs, and the temperature didn’t seem to be decreasing.  The cheetahs had the right idea – sleep, and I’m sure I dozed off now and again, only to be woken by several dozen squadrons of annoying flies buzzing around my head.

LEFT: A male cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) watchful for prey or predators.

The Three Brothers

The three male cheetahs, nicknamed “The Three Brothers” by the Kenyan Wildlife Service (KWS), are a tad over a year old and belong to the same litter.

“Cheetahs are usually solitary or are seen in pairs.  A trio co-habitating is quite uncommon” stated one of the KWS rangers I had spoken with earlier that day. 

Our task this day, and for the following several days was relatively simple; follow the cheetahs to observe their behaviour and hopefully photograph the animals hunting and making a kill. 

Cheetahs are one of the most beautiful cats to be found in Africa, and in my opinion rate second to the leopard.  Evolution and natural selection has developed an animal that is exceptionally adapted to chasing and killing certain types of prey.  The cheetah is the fastest of the big cats and is superbly adapted for speed, able to retain speeds of 112 km/hr (69 mph).   This speed equates to roughly 32 meters per second (32 m/s) and can be maintained over an average prey chase of 2.7 kilometres (3.5 miles).

But, as with most predators when not hunting, they sleep to conserve energy - and this is exactly what the three brothers were doing, only occasionally stirring to check on the location of a number of Thompson gazelles that were browsing nearby.

Cheetahs Are Skittish Animals

Cheetahs, in comparison to other apex predators such as lions and leopards, are skittish animals forever watchful and alert.  They are the “scaredy cats” of the feline family.  A cheetah won’t take unnecessary risks, and often will retreat upon conflict with another animal – especially a lion which are known to kill cheetahs.  A mother with cubs is especially vulnerable and often cubs will be killed by hyenas and lions.  At these times the mother will move away from areas heavily populated with prey to minimise any interaction with other predators. 

The Three Brothers inhabited a lightly vegetated area adjacent to surrounding plains; this is the favoured habitat of cheetahs as it provides vegetation to hide behind, and open ground from which to exercise their one benefit over other predators – speed.   Unlike lions, which mainly hunt at night, cheetahs prefer to hunt during the daylight hours, thereby minimising the chance of injury such as falling into a hole while running at high speeds.

 Fussy Eaters

Searching for the cheetahs each day revealed that over the past week or so they had hunted and made several kills; the remains of their kill was evident as we searched the open ground and beneath shady bushes.  Cheetahs, like some house cats, are fussy eaters; they prefer smaller animals such as gazelles, and then only consume the choicest cuts – normally the rear flanks, leaving the remainder of the kill for hyenas, jackals or vultures. 

LEFT: On the brothers wakens briefly and yawns whilst his brethren sleeps adjacent.

Several times, we observed prey animals and positioned the four wheel drive in a suitable place to film any resultant hunt and kill; however, it became evident that as the brothers were three, a gazelle hind quarter was not going to be enough food to sustain them.  I’d read that cheetahs hunt three to four times a week; daily when bringing up cubs. 

We knew the brothers were hungry….We knew they had to hunt soon…We had an inkling that they wanted something more sustainable than a gazelle, but when would they make their move? 

In my next post, I’ll describe the hunting technique of the three brothers and we’ll learn whether they were successful or not.