What Happens To Hyenas When Battling Against Lions Nature of the Beast Love Nature
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00:00 There's a moment just before a predator starts to hunt, when time seems to stop.
00:09 And then, chaos.
00:17 This young leopard has made her first kill in three days.
00:22 But even though this hyena has stolen her kill, it's not the villain here.
00:26 Stick around and I'll show you why.
00:29 I'm Jules.
00:30 As a wildlife cameraman, I've spent years following and filming animals.
00:33 I've learned a few things along the way, and I want to share some of my adventures with
00:37 you.
00:38 In this series, we're looking at predators.
00:40 Lions, leopard, cheetah, wild dogs, they're all family favorites.
00:44 But there's one predator that always gets a bad rap, and it really bugs me.
00:48 So today, I'm going to answer the question, how dangerous are predators?
00:52 And I'm going to show you why hyenas are not the baddies Hollywood has betrayed them to
00:55 be.
00:56 Let's go.
01:12 The nature of the beast is a phrase usually used to describe things being just the way
01:16 they are.
01:17 And it's usually negative.
01:18 There's traffic in the city.
01:20 That's the nature of the beast.
01:21 Your smartphone won't connect to the Wi-Fi.
01:23 That's the nature of the beast.
01:25 And in this series, we're spotlighting the nature of these beautiful, but complex beasts.
01:32 We're revealing their secrets and acknowledging their struggles.
01:38 Showing that being a beast isn't a bad thing.
01:42 Today, I'll show you why this hyena snagging a kill from a leopard doesn't make him the
01:48 bad guy.
01:49 In fact, it's actually pretty heroic.
01:53 Now, I won't name any names, but in some movies, hyenas are portrayed as ugly, evil scavengers.
02:01 That's not fair.
02:02 They can be cute.
02:03 They're definitely not evil.
02:05 And they're predators in their own right.
02:06 In fact, in some places, lions are more likely to scavenge from hyenas than the other way
02:11 around.
02:13 But before we talk about how great hyenas are, let's set the scene and show you some
02:16 of the other predators hyenas have to contend with.
02:20 I'm taking you to one of my favorite places on earth, South Luangwa National Park.
02:24 Now, I know I've got a Kiwi accent and you probably haven't heard of this place, but
02:27 we'll be spending a lot of time here.
02:29 So say it with me, South Luangwa National Park.
02:33 Got it?
02:34 Let's go.
02:37 It's a massive wilderness covering a huge area, but the main action happens around the
02:42 river.
02:43 The Luangwa flows roughly north to south, and in the dry season, it's one of the few
02:46 water sources for miles around.
02:49 The river is absolutely full of crocodiles and hippo.
02:54 And there's one of the highest concentrations of predators here anywhere in the world.
03:00 Carnivores get a lot of their water from blood, but herbivores have to drink, and that means
03:05 going to the river.
03:07 It's a tricky balance.
03:08 You have to weigh up being thirsty with the potential of being eaten.
03:13 Because all the prey animals come to the river, all the predators do too.
03:17 Animals like these impala have to keep an eye out.
03:19 In the water, there are crocodiles, and all around, predators are lurking.
03:25 We'll follow this impala as it leaves the river and heads to the grassy floodplains
03:30 where it likes to feed.
03:34 As it leaves the river, the first predator it's going to encounter is probably going
03:38 to be lions, lying in the shade along the riverside.
03:43 Lions are most people's favourite.
03:44 King of the jungle, heir to all the light touches.
03:47 They're the largest predators here, and there's a lot of them.
03:50 In some days filming, I've seen 30 lions.
04:00 Lions love the shade.
04:01 In the dry season, it's hot, real hot.
04:03 So they rest up during the day and conserve their energy.
04:07 One of the questions people often ask me is whether it's dangerous to film lions.
04:12 If you're in a vehicle, you're actually pretty safe.
04:15 It's a weird thought, I know, but they just kind of see the outline of the car and don't
04:18 seem to notice you're inside.
04:20 Mostly this works to your advantage and you're able to film without affecting them.
04:24 But sometimes they get too comfortable, and if there's no shade around, you might find
04:28 you have a lion sleeping in the shadow of your vehicle.
04:30 And my filming truck doesn't have any doors, so it can be pretty unnerving having a snoring
04:34 lion just a couple of feet away.
04:39 Lions are opportunists, which means that if something wanders into their field of view,
04:42 they'll probably have a go at it.
04:44 Otherwise they rest up, sometimes for days, and conserve their energy until they're hungry.
04:49 And then it's time to hunt.
04:53 Lions are ambush hunters.
04:55 Different prides have different hunting strategies.
04:57 I've seen prides which specialize in bringing down large animals like buffalo, and those
05:01 which prefer taking out smaller prey like warthog.
05:06 They tend to stalk and surprise their prey with a short burst of speed.
05:09 At top speed, they can hit 80km/h, which is about 50 miles, but they can't keep it up
05:14 for long.
05:15 So if an impala can get a head start, they'll probably make it out alive.
05:21 For prey animals, being alert to your surroundings is key to staying alive.
05:25 It's what keeps you from being surprised.
05:27 But being alert all the time is actually really costly to animals.
05:30 Imagine keeping your head up, looking around, ears triggering at the smallest sound.
05:34 It means you have less time for eating and for resting.
05:38 And all that stress has got to be bad for you.
05:41 But if it means not being eaten, I'll take alert and alive over children dinner any day
05:45 of the week.
05:49 So our impala has made it past the lions and onto the floodplain, but they've still got
05:53 one of the most successful predators to deal with.
05:56 Wild dogs.
06:00 These aren't your regular pet pooch.
06:01 They share a common ancestor with wolves.
06:06 Wild dogs live in family groups called packs.
06:09 When it comes to hunting, these guys are not ambush hunters.
06:13 They run out into the open and start the chase.
06:22 Dogs are a lot smaller than lions, but they've got endurance and cooperation on their side.
06:28 As a team, they can kill prey many times their own size and run down animals over long distances.
06:33 Oh, whoa, whoa.
06:37 Let's just pump the brakes here a minute because I want to tell you how difficult it is to
06:40 film wild dogs.
06:42 When they're hunting, they can move it over 40 miles an hour.
06:45 So following them is really tough.
06:46 You have to predict where they're going to be, grab a shot, then drive like crazy through
06:50 the bush, dodging trees and holes, trying to get in front of them and figure out which
06:54 impala they're targeting.
06:55 It makes them one of the most frustrating, but also the most exciting animals in the
06:59 world to film.
07:03 For impala running away from dogs, it's not about being the fastest.
07:07 It's about not being the slowest.
07:15 Watching a kill is one of the most emotional parts of the job.
07:17 It's nature at its most raw.
07:20 It can be pretty gruesome to watch.
07:22 And even though I've seen it a bunch of times, trust me, it never gets any easier.
07:27 You just have to try and remember.
07:28 That's what predators were born to do.
07:29 And hey, we've all got to eat.
07:33 People have this mistaken idea that predators are going to eat you as soon as you set foot
07:37 in Africa.
07:38 And that's just not true.
07:39 They haven't evolved to see people as food.
07:42 So as long as you don't catch them on a bad day, or in the wrong place at the wrong time,
07:47 you're totally fine.
07:49 If you're an impala, well, that's another story.
07:53 But for now, our impala has dodged the dogs and has made it into the shade of a sausage
07:57 tree.
08:00 They love eating the flowers of this beautiful tree, which dropped to the ground below.
08:05 Everything does.
08:12 These are great trees.
08:13 They provide food for so many animals.
08:15 They give good shade, but you have to watch out for the giant fruits, which fall without
08:18 warning and are heavy enough to kill you.
08:20 On one of my first shoots, I was just so tired, I just plonked my mattress down under a sausage
08:25 tree and went straight to sleep.
08:28 A few moments later, a huge pod like a bowling ball landed about this far from my head.
08:32 I moved after that.
08:36 So our impala is getting a belly full of flowers.
08:38 But this is a story about predators, remember?
08:40 And when you're a prey species like impala, danger lurks around every corner.
08:45 In the branches above, the stealthiest of predators, a leopard, is lying in wait.
08:51 In most places, leopards are really hard to spot.
08:54 Get it?
08:55 Not here.
08:56 The Loingua is one of the best places in the world to see leopards.
08:59 Along the river, there's nearly one leopard for every two kilometers.
09:04 So here's this leopard in the tree.
09:06 The impala's on the ground and I'm waiting, camera poised, for the leopard to jump out
09:10 of the tree and pounce on this easy meal.
09:13 But here's the thing.
09:15 Predators are not killing machines.
09:16 Sometimes you'll sit for hours waiting.
09:18 The impalas arrive, they feed, they leave, and the leopard just sits there.
09:22 It's so frustrating!
09:26 Being a deadly predator is all about balance.
09:28 You have to decide.
09:29 Am I hungry enough to take a stab at this potentially dangerous, quite large, feisty
09:33 antelope with sharp horns and a lethal kick?
09:36 Or do I wait for an easier opportunity?
09:41 If a leopard is injured, they could starve to death.
09:43 So it's important they make the right call.
09:46 Leopards are also one of the most adaptable predators on the planet.
09:50 So they can change their tactics and go for an even more stealthy approach.
09:53 In the middle of this floodplain there's a gully.
09:57 It's perfect cover for a sneak attack, if you know how to use it.
10:11 The leopard waits till the final moment to make its attack.
10:20 Success!
10:27 But she's been followed.
10:31 And here's our final character.
10:33 A hyena.
10:34 Doing what hyenas are best known for.
10:36 Scavenging.
10:37 Or stealing.
10:38 And it's true.
10:39 Hyenas do steal from other carnivores.
10:41 But portraying them as thieves is only one way of looking at it.
10:45 Nature is more complex than some movies and many documentaries would have you believe.
10:49 Hyenas are usually seen as the bad guy here.
10:51 But what about them?
10:53 They might not have eaten in days.
10:55 It's not like there's a grocery store where they can just pick up dinner.
10:59 And it's pretty hardcore to steal food from an angry leopard.
11:02 I think that says more about their courage than it does about their character.
11:08 It's also only part of the story.
11:10 Hyenas are actually really good at hunting food for themselves.
11:13 I don't buy into this view of hyenas as dirty, disgusting, evil creatures.
11:18 I've spent months living among them while filming.
11:20 And I've come to learn they're one of the most interesting and most misunderstood predators
11:24 on the planet.
11:25 They're powerful, they're curious, cooperative and totally hardcore.
11:31 They're incredibly social, very complex and full of personality.
11:37 So hopefully you can see that predators are far more complex than we give them credit.
11:40 And they're not as dangerous to people as you might think.
11:44 And hyenas?
11:45 Well, there's more to hyenas than Hollywood would have you believe.
11:50 Over the next few episodes, I'm going to share my experiences following and filming hyenas.
11:54 I'll show you why I love them.
11:55 And if you don't already, I'm hoping you'll learn to love them too.
12:01 Next time I'll be answering some difficult questions about hyenas.
12:04 Like why do they laugh?
12:05 And dispelling a few myths along the way.
12:07 Well that's all for this video.
12:09 Thank you so much for watching and I'll catch you next time.
12:12 Stay wild!
12:13 Thieves.
12:14 Scavengers.
12:15 Killers.
12:16 That's what a lot of people think of when they see hyenas.
12:23 That's not the real story.
12:25 This hyena is actually just a mum.
12:28 With hungry babies at home that she needs to feed.
12:32 And look at these adorable little guys.
12:34 How can you not love them?
12:36 Hey team, welcome to another video.
12:38 If it's your first time here, I'm Jules.
12:41 As a wildlife cameraman, I've followed and filmed animals across the globe.
12:45 Now I'm sharing some of my adventures with you.
12:48 Today we're following the journey of a hyena mum as she heads home to feed her young cubs.
12:52 And we're busting some of the myths that surround hyenas along the way.
12:55 I'll show you why everything you thought you knew about hyenas might be a lie.
13:00 Let's go!
13:18 The Lion King cartoon brought the wilds of Africa to the world.
13:25 I grew up in the 90s and I know for me it was part of the reason I made filming wildlife
13:29 my life's work.
13:31 For many people it was their first introduction to a land filled with giraffe, elephant and
13:36 yes, adorable singing lion cubs.
13:39 But it also gave hyenas a really bad reputation.
13:43 One that's lasted over 25 years.
13:46 The thing is movies need goodies and baddies.
13:48 More on that later.
13:49 And hyenas, well they drew the short straw.
13:53 In this series we're telling the hyenas side of the story and showing them in a different
13:57 light.
13:59 Today we'll follow the journey of a mother hyena on her way back to the den to feed her
14:03 hungry babies.
14:10 Hyenas live in family groups called clans.
14:12 Their homes are called dens.
14:16 This one is adapted from an old termite mound.
14:18 I've filmed hyenas using this den since 2013 and they're still living there.
14:26 Cubs like this little guy are black for the first few weeks of their lives and only develop
14:30 their characteristic spots as they grow.
14:33 When they're little like this they're super cute.
14:35 They start off timid but they quickly become curious and a little pushy at times.
14:41 They grow quickly so their mum needs to make sure her milk is as nutritious as possible.
14:47 The clan's territory is along the river in the Ensefu sector of South Langua National
14:51 Park.
14:52 It's full of dangers, crocodiles in the water and rival predators all around.
14:59 Even the giraffe out here can kill you.
15:02 Right now mum is up north far away from the den looking for food.
15:06 It's quiet now but it's been a violent morning.
15:10 Lions have killed a buffalo.
15:29 With full bellies they're resting in the shade nearby.
15:35 Here's a familiar sight.
15:36 Hyenas scavenging.
15:37 It's what they're best known for.
15:39 But it's not the whole story.
15:41 This time it was the lions that made this kill but hyenas are fully capable of making
15:45 their own kills and lions are actually just as likely to steal from hyenas as the other
15:49 way around.
15:52 Hyena society is dominated by hierarchy.
15:55 Although this is a family group, when it comes to food they'll fight like me and my sisters
15:59 used to over cocoa pops.
16:04 Mothers have to work especially hard to get the best, most nutrient rich food they can
16:09 so they can pass all that good stuff on to their cubs.
16:12 But right now the lions want their kill back.
16:22 And this is the sound that hyenas are most known for.
16:25 Their laugh.
16:26 One of their names is actually laughing hyenas.
16:30 But there's nothing funny here.
16:32 A hyena laugh or giggle is actually a sign of stress or excitement.
16:38 This sound effect is put over the top of hyenas doing all kinds of things.
16:42 Getting ready to hunt.
16:44 Planning a lion cub's demise.
16:46 People think they're laughing like a cartoon villain while he plots to kill the hero.
16:51 But that's one of the biggest myths about hyenas.
16:55 I see a hyena's laugh as a kind of "hey hey hey, leave me alone" like when a bunch of
16:59 clan members gang up on you.
17:01 Or a 250 pound angry lion is trying to rip your head off.
17:07 A full clan of hyenas will give lions a run for their money.
17:10 But a small group like this are no match for them.
17:13 So mum will have to find another meal as she heads back to the den.
17:17 And a journey through a wilderness like this won't be easy.
17:23 South Langwa is an incredible place filled with all the wonder and beauty you'd expect
17:29 from Africa.
17:30 For me, being right in nature like this makes me feel alive.
17:34 Everywhere you look there's something to see and every corner you turn could lead to an
17:38 adventure.
17:39 For our hyena, it's just the same.
17:43 Although hyenas are good hunters, mum is no match for these giraffe.
17:47 She's just being curious.
17:52 Giraffes can weigh over a ton and have a kick that would knock your head off.
17:56 So mum continues her journey down the river.
18:02 The river runs roughly north to south and forms the boundary to her territory.
18:06 Hyenas can cross the water when it's low like this, but there are a lot, I mean a lot of
18:11 crocodiles so it's mostly not worth it.
18:17 A young hippo has died.
18:19 Hundreds of crocodiles arrive to feast on the carcass.
18:26 Now I know for a lot of you this is pretty fall into watch.
18:28 And honestly when I'm filming it I feel the same.
18:31 This is real nature here and it's all part of the circle of life.
18:36 The best view is from in the river, so sometimes I'll drive my vehicle into the water to get
18:40 a croc's eye view of the action.
18:43 It's a pretty crazy experience to be sitting in the river surrounded by huge crocodiles
18:47 tearing a carcass to pieces.
18:51 Sometimes carcasses will wash up on the shore and then all kinds of animals will take advantage
18:55 of the feast.
18:57 Like this pride of lions, who are so full they can't even be bothered getting up as
19:01 our hyena mum walks past.
19:06 Hyenas and lions are natural enemies, but animals don't like conflict.
19:09 It's super risky, so if there's no food to fight over or young to protect, it's worth
19:14 picking your battles.
19:15 It's something I'm learning too.
19:17 Whose turn is it to cook dinner tonight?
19:24 It's getting hot now and the temperature is soaring.
19:30 Hyenas tend to be more active at night.
19:32 They've got good nocturnal vision which gives them an advantage, but I think it's also because
19:36 the amount of energy they have to exert to bring down prey during the day is extreme.
19:45 Imagine doing a full body workout in a sauna and you've got some idea, some idea of what
19:52 it's like out here.
19:54 So in the heat of the day it's worth finding a nice shady spot to rest, or cool off in
19:58 the water pools which form in the riverbed.
20:04 It's also the time when lots of animals go to drink.
20:08 Large herds like these buffalo will mostly drink at the river, but there are smaller
20:12 water holes which become more like mud pools as the dry season takes its toll.
20:21 Mud's also a really good way for herbivores to get rid of pests and parasites.
20:25 Imagine being covered in flies and biting insects, but not having any arms or hands
20:29 to scratch the itch.
20:31 That's what it's like for herbivores.
20:34 Covering themselves in mud is actually really soothing and a great way to remove parasites.
20:39 Letting it dry is like a face mask for buffalo, but instead of clearing your pores it lifts
20:44 away some of the ticks in those hard to reach places.
20:48 I've actually hopped into one of these mud pools before.
20:50 It was really relaxing, except for all the slimy things wriggling around under my feet.
20:55 That was pretty gross.
20:58 Unfortunately the mud is thick and sometimes buffalo that are weakened by the heat or by
21:02 starvation get trapped.
21:06 The herd leaves, but the buffalo is stuck fast.
21:10 The more she struggles, the more she sinks.
21:16 As the afternoon wears on, the buffalo stop struggling and vultures gather in the skies.
21:23 Most vultures need other animals to open up the carcass before they can start feeding,
21:27 so hyenas are super helpful.
21:31 Vultures and hyenas often go together, like peanut butter and cheese on toast.
21:37 No?
21:39 Hyenas have an uncanny ability to find food.
21:42 Whether it's hearing the sounds of an animal in distress from kilometres away, or their
21:45 incredible sense of smell that leads them to food, they're first on the scene more
21:49 often than not.
21:51 And scientists have shown that hyenas can use the sight of vultures circling in the
21:54 sky to pinpoint the position of carcasses and lead them straight to an easy meal.
22:01 So vultures are really important to hyenas too.
22:04 When I'm filming and looking for predators, I take a leaf out of the hyenas book and also
22:08 use vultures as a sign that predators might be nearby.
22:11 We can learn a lot from animals.
22:16 Because they're mostly nocturnal, it's been hard to film hyenas hunting.
22:19 But now that we have thermal cameras, we're able to see what animals get up to in the
22:24 dead of night.
22:27 As the sun sets, mum and other members of the clan arrive and put the buffalo out of
22:32 its misery.
22:35 It seems brutal, I know, but if lions had found it first, they'd have done the same.
22:40 Predators eat prey, it's what they were born to do.
22:44 The hyenas feed quietly without their characteristic whoops.
22:47 They don't want the lions showing up and stealing their meal.
22:54 People sometimes ask why I don't intervene when animals get stuck like this.
22:58 It may seem harsh, but for me, I'm there to document what animals naturally do in the
23:02 wild and as far as possible, I want to make sure I'm not changing anything.
23:06 So if what happened to them is natural, I don't step in.
23:08 But what if I did and I pulled the buffalo out?
23:12 What about the hyenas?
23:13 They've got cubs back at the den to feed.
23:16 Would you rob them of a meal?
23:21 Hyenas are unusual in that they're able to exploit much more of a carcass than other
23:25 predators.
23:26 With a bite twice as strong as a dog, they're one of the few animals that can crush bones.
23:31 That's right, crush bones with their mouths and digest it.
23:36 Often they have so much calcium in their diet, their poop actually turns white.
23:44 When they leave, the vultures can step in and clean up the carcass.
23:49 Things get pretty chaotic, so our hyena mum heads back to the den, belly full and ready
23:54 to feed her hungry youngsters.
23:58 Now you've seen they're not just scavengers, but on TV it's what we see them doing most
24:02 of the time.
24:03 And I think that's why people have this view of them as thieves.
24:06 You guys already know, or are starting to understand, that they're far more complicated
24:11 than we give them credit for.
24:12 But there are a lot of people out there who think that hyenas are just straight evil.
24:20 There are plenty of superstitions around hyenas among indigenous communities, and the reasons
24:24 for these are very complex.
24:26 But for most people, it's TV and movies that have sold them the lie that lions are the
24:30 good guys and hyenas are the bad guys.
24:33 And that's not the truth.
24:35 But Hollywood's not the only ones reinforcing this myth.
24:38 The reality with the films we make as wildlife producers is that we need goodies and baddies
24:43 for stories to work.
24:44 And the way we create films makes a difference to how you as the audience interpret wildlife
24:48 behaviour.
24:49 I'm doing it right now, and I'll show you what I mean.
24:53 Here's the set up.
24:54 Our hyena is nearly home, but she's encountered a final challenge.
24:58 There are a couple of ways this could play out on screen.
25:05 These wild dogs are wearing research collars, so scientists can track the movements of the
25:09 pack.
25:11 With less than 5,000 in the wild, every dog counts.
25:15 A hyena is a threat to the pack's young.
25:18 The pack must chase this intruder off and teach her a lesson she won't forget.
25:22 So the hyena's the bad guy, right?
25:24 Let's watch it again.
25:26 Her young cubs are waiting back at the den.
25:29 Without their mother, they won't survive.
25:32 Alone, she hasn't got a chance against a pack of wild dogs.
25:36 If they catch her, they'll attack, and could even kill her.
25:41 She needs to run.
25:42 So you see, it's all in the presentation, and the reality of filmmaking is that you
25:50 have to pick sides.
25:52 But there's often more to the story than meets the eye.
25:55 Life in the wild is harsh, and only the strongest survive.
25:58 But you can't have a story without a hero.
26:01 And you can't have a goodie without a baddie.
26:03 So far, hyenas have had a raw deal.
26:05 But we're changing that, right?
26:07 A new clan of hyena lovers.
26:14 When people tell me they don't like hyenas, one of the reasons they'll often give is the
26:18 way they look.
26:19 And sure, a fully grown adult hyena has a few scars.
26:22 They might be missing an ear or two.
26:25 But why would you hold that against them?
26:29 Hyenas' lives are tough, and they have to battle every day to survive.
26:33 It's a hard, cruel world in the wild, where every day could be your last.
26:38 Those that survive have been through a lot.
26:41 And who wouldn't look a little rough around the edges after fighting every day of your
26:44 life?
26:45 For me, when I see a hyena weathered by life in the wild, I think those scars are just
26:51 their story.
26:52 Maybe it's that way with people too.
26:54 I hope you've enjoyed our adventure today.
27:01 In the next video, we'll be following the story of a young hyena cub and some of the
27:04 challenges she faces as she grows up wild.
27:06 Well, that's it for this video.
27:08 Thank you so much for watching, guys.
27:10 If you've got any questions about hyenas, please let me know in the comments below.
27:14 As always, make sure you like and subscribe, and I'll catch you next time.
27:18 Stay wild.
27:21 This little hyena cub has a hard life ahead of her.
27:24 It's a wild world full of danger.
27:27 She'll have to learn fast if she's going to survive.
27:32 Hey team, welcome to another video.
27:37 If you're new here, I'm Jules.
27:39 As a wildlife cameraman, I've spent months living alongside hyenas while filming.
27:43 I've grown to love them.
27:45 And in this series, I'm showing you why you should too.
27:48 Today we'll follow the journey of a young hyena princess as she takes her first step
27:52 out into the wild.
27:54 Let's go.
28:09 This is the tale of Spotty, the spotted hyena.
28:12 Lame name, I know.
28:14 Sorry.
28:15 This clan lives on the banks of a lagoon.
28:18 This is not the beginning of our story.
28:20 For that, we need to go back.
28:22 Two weeks before when I arrived in South Waiango National Park for another filming trip.
28:30 I'm here to film hyenas and all the other amazing animals that live here.
28:42 For viewers, documentaries always start with pretty pictures of animals.
28:46 But for filmmakers like me, it starts with a search.
28:50 The first step of filming is finding animals.
28:52 And that can be a real challenge.
28:56 For me, there's something special about the start of a filming trip.
28:59 The anticipation, the excitement.
29:02 It's the start of an adventure.
29:04 Even though I've spent years in the wild, I still have to adjust to being back there.
29:08 You have to get your mind into being a part of this landscape, reading tracks, listening
29:12 for alarm calls, watching your back.
29:17 The first thing you notice is the stillness.
29:21 Here time is only dictated by whether the sun is up or down.
29:26 There's no traffic, no people, but it's not quiet.
29:30 All around the bush is alive.
29:50 When you're looking for hyena cubs, the best place to start is the den.
29:54 It's like a family home for hyenas.
29:56 This is where their young cubs grow up, so it's a focal point for the clan.
30:00 But they'll often maintain a bunch of other smaller dens dotted around the area, like
30:04 summer cottages.
30:05 And this is where hyena mothers will give birth, away from prying eyes.
30:14 Over the years I've developed a map of all the holes I've found in the ground.
30:18 Now that might sound a bit strange, and it looks pretty confusing too, but it's actually
30:23 a really good way of finding young hyena cubs.
30:26 Mothers often modify holes made by porcupine or warthog into temporary dens to stash their
30:31 very young cubs.
30:32 So I can drive around and check all the holes in the ground for tracks, or leave camera
30:37 traps up and see if there's anything living inside.
30:47 But this time the hyenas have given me the runaround.
30:50 After a week of searching empty holes, I was ready to give up.
30:54 Luckily a friend of mine Bertram is a local guide, and he saved the day and showed me
30:58 where the hyena queen had stashed her little princess.
31:03 For the first few weeks, hyena cubs are black before they develop their yellowish colour
31:07 and spots.
31:09 So a little cub like this is only a few weeks old.
31:12 She's totally defenceless, and completely reliant on mum.
31:17 It's a scary world out there, but the den can be a tough place too.
31:24 Animals living wild attract parasites.
31:27 Think about what your pet dog would be like after a year or two of no grooming, or a bath.
31:32 Lice, ticks and other nasty parasites crawl, burrow and scratch constantly.
31:38 I'm making you itch yet?
31:44 Hyenas are tough, but even they can't handle bed bugs, so when the amount of parasites
31:48 in the den gets too much, mum will move it.
31:51 Threats like other predators or rival clans can also trigger a move, as can the presence
31:56 of a filmmaker like me.
31:57 So you have to be careful.
32:00 Hyenas are really good mums, so until they trust you, you have to walk a fine line between
32:04 being close enough to film, but not so close that you disturb her.
32:11 When you're filming animals, it's hard not to give them a name.
32:14 Scientists tend to study a lot of animals, so keeping track of them is really hard.
32:18 So a hyena might be H317, or something equally personal.
32:22 Safari guides and camera teams are less traditional and usually do give animals names.
32:26 It's kind of a natural instinct.
32:28 You spend so much time with them, you end up thinking of them as characters, or friends.
32:33 A buddy of mine, Simon, works for the National Parks Department, and he accompanied me during
32:37 filming.
32:38 He and I wanted to name the young hyena cub Shula, but that means fart in the local language,
32:44 so it probably wouldn't have made the cut.
32:46 We decided that Spotty was a good enough name.
32:51 Spending a lot of time at the den, you get a really good idea of just how many animals
32:55 pass by.
32:59 As they grow, hyena cubs have to learn to deal with these residents - elephant, warthog,
33:04 and these baboons - and work out which ones are a threat, and which ones they can chase.
33:09 They haven't worked out they're supposed to be predators yet.
33:16 Hyena cubs have a lot of learning to do.
33:19 Not only do they have to learn about the threats from other animals, but they also have to
33:22 learn how to deal with a very complex social hierarchy.
33:27 Understanding your rank is one of the most important life lessons a hyena cub has to
33:30 learn.
33:32 They do this amazing greeting ceremony when they meet.
33:35 With a superb sense of smell, they're able to tell who's who and reaffirm rank.
33:41 Hyena society is matriarchal, which means it's led by females.
33:45 Cubs are born with the ranks of their mothers, so if you get a raw deal and are born to a
33:49 low-ranking hyena, life is tough.
33:53 If you're born to a queen and you're a female cub, you'll outrank all the other hyenas,
33:57 including the males.
33:59 Beyonce would be proud.
34:01 Who runs the world?
34:05 The process of getting animals used to you is called habituation.
34:08 When you're filming in areas where there are a lot of tourists, this has often been done
34:11 already by the guides.
34:13 But when you're filming baby animals, you have to start from scratch.
34:16 Over the first few weeks of filming, the cubs gradually get more and more relaxed, and that's
34:21 when you start getting the good stuff.
34:24 But sometimes they can take it a little bit far.
34:32 These cubs are just being curious, chewing my tires, ripping the canvas on my camera
34:36 mount, and generally being cheeky.
34:39 They're too close to film here, but now they know I'm not a threat, and that's great.
34:43 Once they get bored, they'll start ignoring me, and that's just perfect.
34:50 When hyenas look at you, it's different to other predators.
34:53 One filmmaker I work with describes it as "doughy eyes".
34:57 Cats like lions and leopards have a hard stare.
35:00 Hyenas don't.
35:01 I know I'm probably going to get trolled by science-y types here, but hyenas have soft,
35:06 intelligent eyes, more like a puppy.
35:09 They also do this kind of bobbing thing with their heads when they're curious, like they're
35:12 trying to figure you out.
35:14 It can be a bit unnerving at first, especially at night when their eyes reflect, but once
35:18 you realise that they're just curious, it's really funny to see them bobbing their heads
35:22 like they're in the club.
35:27 A juvenile hyena has arrived at the den with most of an impala, which they probably scavenge
35:31 from a leopard.
35:32 It's an odd move, usually they'd feed elsewhere and bring back small bits of the carcass.
35:37 Hyenas don't like sharing.
35:42 This young hyena is a fighter.
35:45 She's got a broken leg that's mended, but it's still hard to use.
35:49 If she was low-ranking, she'd be dead already, but she's got high status, and that means
35:53 she's able to use that to her advantage.
35:56 Usually when we make films, we can put a variety of shots together to make a story work.
36:01 Here, it was all happening at once, and being the only camera on the scene, I had to try
36:05 my best to capture it all.
36:08 Other than a few cuts, you're seeing it unfold in real time.
36:14 The adults are all fighting for a bit of the carcass.
36:17 The young injured cub wants her share.
36:20 You can see how the older hyenas are holding their aggression back.
36:23 They probably know they can take what they want by force, but there would be consequences.
36:29 Breaking the rules of the hierarchy is a huge no-no, and hyenas can be vicious when enforcing
36:34 rank.
36:35 In the middle of it all, a herd of elephants show up, and a couple of excited hyenas give
36:44 chase.
36:52 The young injured cub asserts her rank.
36:54 She knows mum will back her up.
37:04 In the end, she gets her way, and the dust settles, and life at the den goes back to
37:08 normal.
37:14 After a couple of months, Spotty has grown, and she and her den-mates are ready to start
37:18 exploring their world.
37:20 They start making little forays into the wild, and this is the most dangerous time for them.
37:25 They could encounter any number of threats along the way.
37:34 Later in life, hyenas are able to dominate leopards, but at this age, they'd be an easy
37:39 meal.
37:41 This wilderness is also home to the Nsefu pride.
37:44 A pride of lions can bring down prey as large as an elephant.
37:48 A couple of hyena cubs would make a nice little snack.
37:54 The cubs are lucky.
37:55 The lions are sleeping.
37:57 They're conserving their energy for later, when it's time to hunt.
38:01 Until something surprises them.
38:15 Right now it's too hot to bother with a couple of scrawny cubs, but after dark it might be
38:20 another story.
38:22 With nowhere to be and no one to tell them what to do, the cubs meander, checking out
38:27 anything that catches their attention.
38:37 It's getting late now and Spotty is still very far from the den.
38:41 She'll be crossing lion country in the dead of night, and the Nsefu pride is on the hunt.
38:54 The lions are feeding close to the hyena den.
38:56 Thermal cameras allow us to film in the dead of night.
39:03 My mate Neil was filming when the Nsefu pride and our hyena clan clashed.
39:10 The hyena adults push in to try and fight for the kill.
39:13 All hell breaks loose.
39:18 Let's just pause here a minute.
39:25 Scenes like this are difficult to watch, but you have to try not to pick sides.
39:29 On the one hand, the lions have hungry mouths to feed, but on the other, the hyenas can't
39:33 let the lions get too comfortable, or Spotty and the other cubs could be in danger.
39:39 It's like a schoolyard fight, where you're friends with both sides, but here you can't
39:44 just step in and break it up.
39:49 One of the hardest things for a filmmaker is to remain on the outside and let animals
39:53 just be animals.
39:59 In the morning, all is quiet at the den, and it's easy to assume the worst.
40:05 But a familiar face is a sight for sore eyes.
40:08 Spotty is okay, and she'll have learnt a good lesson about life in the wild.
40:16 The cubs are in a playful mood, and they've got energy to burn.
40:36 For Spotty, this is only the start of a life full of adventure.
40:39 Hyenas go through so much, fighting with lions, dodging angry hippos.
40:44 Every day is a new challenge.
40:46 I hope I've given you a glimpse into what makes them so special.
40:50 From their time as adorable little cubs, to fierce encounters with rival predators, you've
40:54 seen how they've been misrepresented, miscast, and misunderstood.
41:00 Hopefully you've fallen in love with them, and with any luck, that's made you care about
41:04 them too.
41:05 We're going to be doing a follow-up episode, where we'll answer any questions about hyenas
41:09 you might still have, and we'll let you know ways in which you can get involved in their
41:14 conservation.
41:15 We'll be looking at some of the human-created threats that hyenas face, and hearing from
41:18 some of the people who have made it their life's mission to protect them.
41:22 People I'm lucky to count as friends.
41:24 We'll be premiering that episode, so if you're interested, you can watch with us.
41:29 To do that, make sure you've subscribed and turned your notifications on.
41:32 And if there's anything you want to know about hyenas, just let us know.
41:35 Leave us a comment below and let us know what you learned, or shoot us a DM on Instagram.
41:39 We'd love to know what you think.
41:42 I hope you've enjoyed our adventure together.
41:43 Thanks so much for joining me, and until next time, stay wild!
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