This is one of the more unusual and unexpected sightings of the year. Although I personally did not see it, I managed to chat to Dean Smithyman who did. I got him to give a brief synopsis of how he managed to capture these images seen below…
The mighty Mapogo had managed to kill a buffalo cow that had become trapped in the deep mud of a small wallow. As they fed over the following three days a group of hyenas started gathering. At one stage there were close on 15 hyena circling the aging lion kings. The scene unfolded on the open grasslands of Londolozi. Whilst Dean was watching the male lions feed, a solitary rhino bull started wandering over to the area. He wandered over in a very non-aggressive way, almost as if he was interested in what was happening.
The rhino bull approached a number of the sleeping hyenas. He got closer and closer until he was a mere meter away from a clan member. The hyena stood up and sniffed at the rhinos backside. This in itself was pretty unbelievable to watch. What happened next was even more bizarre. The rhino bull lifted his tail and backed into the hyenas actually trying to convince them, and then allowing them to lick his backside and genitalia! This did not simply happen once, but on a number of occasions.
The rhino lifted his tail and the hyena moved in behind
Now I obviously have one or two theories about what the benefits to both animals may have been, but in reality I am really stumped about why a rhino (or any animal) would allow one of the most aggressive animals in Africa, the opportunity to be so close to it’s genitalia.
I would like to appeal to any of you to try give an explanation for this behaviour and to let us know if you have ever encountered something like this elsewhere.
Written by Adam Bannister
Photographed by Dean Smithyman
“At one stage there were close on 15 hyena circling the aging lion kings”
did they want to attack Mapogo？？
well…….that’s weird.
Maybe the rhino had run out of toilet paper ? 😉
Thanks for my laugh for the day Rosie! I have nothing to add.
She likes big men!
Maybe the rhino was feeling lonley!
No, can’t explain it. Obviously, there is some chemistry about hyenas that draw other animals to them…as witnessed by the lone wild dog who apparently can’t get enough of them. Some times nature is better left unexplained and just appreciated.
How about this? The rhino MAY have been lying in a spot where a smell got on his rear, that was liking to the hyena. Who knows-just a guess!!! Stranger things have happened!Look at the wild dog taking up w/ the hyenas????
maybe the rhino left his Mrs. and asked the hyena to check and make sure he still had genetalia?
I love hearing about the strange encounters of animals. Sometimes there is no explanation that we humans can interpret, we just have to accept and appreciate the oddities of nature..
Thanks for sharing..
could it be that this hyena and Rhino have known each other from a young age and this is how they greet each other?
Were Mak and PB worried about the hyenas??
Amazing interaction, perhaps the Rhino wanted a companion.
We’re stumped too. We’re having a discussion of what’s going on here: https://qr.ae/TWKQSu What are your theories about the benefits to these animals?
i can just think to a couple of theory…. the suicide theory, rhino may be sick and suffering from disease or injury and decided to offer itself to the hyena to be terminated….
Or Hyena were disorientated enough to act friendly, maybe not hungry….