As previously mentioned by Ranger Pat Grealy, the thrilling discovery of an active hyena den site in the northeastern reaches of Londolozi has been accompanied by much excitement amongst the rangers, trackers and guests, as we have not had an active hyena den for quite some time. The discovery of these secret hideaways not only offers phenomenal viewing of curious cubs but it provides us with a fascinating glimpse into the secretive lives of these amazing creatures.
A hyena cub lies safely between its mother’s legs as they rest just to the side of an entrance to their den site
Today, we are thrilled to bring you an even more exhilarating update: we have uncovered not one but TWO additional active den sites!
A hyena mother sits at her den site and picks up one of her black cubs in her mouth.
One of the den sites is located in the northwestern region of the property with the other found not very far from camp to the southwest! With the knowledge that hyena cubs will remain at their den site for the first eight months of their life, Londolozi Guides, Trackers and Guests alike are sure to be spoilt with some incredible viewing for the foreseeable future. Hyenas are incredibly dynamic animals that are often misunderstood and the fact that we now have three known established den sites means that we can continue to learn and study more about Londolozi’s hyena populations.
A hyena mother is greeted by the youngest members of the clan as she returns to the den
Hyenas are incredibly important animals and are highly regarded by the Londolozi community. We have recently just welcomed a new intake of The Tracker Academy students to the Londolozi Village and it got me thinking:
“Why is The Tracker Academy logo a Hyena?”
The Tracker Academy has chosen a Hyena to be the animal that symbolizes what they stand for as an organisation.
Students of the Tracker Academy exploring Londolozi’s landscape
After a discussion with Co-founder of The Tracker Academy, Alex van den Heever, he provided the following reasons:
- The Hyena is the greatest tracker within the animal kingdom – The Tacker Academy was inspired by Hyena’s unique intelligence and unwavering perseverance that has ultimately led to their success as a species. These are qualities that are extremely valued as a tracker.
A hyena raises its head and scans the open grasslands whilst following the scent of a predator that had previously passed through
- Hyenas have the highest rate of raising their young to their first year of maturity – Hyena’s success rate of raising their young to maturity is almost double that of any other carnivore. The ability to successfully raise the next generation of both male and female trackers is a feat that the Tracker Academy prides itself on. In doing so, they are undeniably dedicated to preserving the ancient art form that is tracking.
The next generation of hyena cubs look out from the safety of their termite mound
- The importance of females and how a matriarchal society is key to their success – Hyenas follow a matriarchal society where for the most part females outrank males within larger hyena clans. The Tracker Academy believe this is symbolic of their own journey, especially how their very own matriarchs Mrs Gaynor Rupert (Chairperson) and Mrs Janetta Bock-Benadie (Operations Manager) have been key to their success as an organization.
A fitting scene as The Tracker Academy watches a clan of hyenas as they settle in a nearby clearing.
These dens are more than just safe havens; they are vibrant epicentres of hyena social structures and behaviours, that offer valuable insight into their often misunderstood lives. As we continue to observe and understand these complex creatures, we foster a deeper appreciation for their place within nature and embrace their vital contribution to the rich biodiversity of Londolozi.
Stay tuned for more updates on the activities of these remarkable predators…
Hyenas quickly became one of our faves after seeing them on our safari in Kenya…they are truly fascinating! Looking forward to watching ALL these pups grow!
Hi Anita. They are indeed incredibly fascinating! With hyena’s impressive success rate, I am sure it won’t be long before these pups are adding to the antics and chaos of the bush along with the adult hyena’s of Londolozi.
Well, no doubt about hyenas being the best trackers and robbers! Poor leopards, they have no chance – and even worse cheetah… they also eat anything, but in a wide sense, meaning even fake objects that they chew and ingest… incredibile! I wrote a report on their matriarchal society and behaviour. They don’t go after the strongest dominant female, the new queen-to-be is in the royal line, literally. Male have less importance and the ones that are not part of the main family disperse and encounter many difficulties. The genital organs of hyenas are also quite different from other mammals, as the vaginas remind a penis, elongated and narrow. Unique features that they possess. They are definitely ugly (there are many legends in local populations, like pigmy in Namibia, as to why they look like that and cheetah are so beautiful and always cry). With so many unique features, they couldn’t be handsome, so required their environmental adaptation… whereas Aardwolves aren’t so ugly at all, they were selected by different ecosystems…
Hi Francesca. They truly are such fascinating animals with so much to learn about them. True apex predators of the the African bush.
It’s wonderful to watch hyena clans. We had several visits to one in 2022 where the young ‘un we named Tornado was such a hoot to watch that we were reluctant to leave the den.
Hi Willa. I have always said, time spent in and around a hyena den is time well spent!
Terrific blog Reece – firstly, the discovery of two more hyena dens is very exciting and you’ve explained the reason for the hyena being the Tracker Academy logo, which now thinking about it, makes complete sense. Given the pups remain at the densite for several months after birth, hopefully I’ll be able to see a few at one of the locations.
Thank you Denise, I am so glad that you enjoyed this blog. Holding thumbs that you will be able to spend plenty of time watching the playful antics of these charismatic little cubs when you return.
That is good news having two hyena dens on Londolozi. The Tracker team and Rangers and guests can now have the opportunity to see them more often in and around the den. They are truly misunderstood and we must realize their vital contribution to the rich biodiversity of Londolozi.
Hi Valmai. They truly are such misunderstood animals but the more opportunities we get to view them in cases such as this, the more we are able to learn about them and their playful antics.
Special pics with that cubs, rare spots. thanks for sharing Reece
Hi Jutta, I am so delighted that you enjoyed this blog!
I am looking forward to seeing some of these cubs. Watching them playing in front of their den is such a great spectacle.
Hi Christa, I am so excited for you to be able to share in the joy of being able to spend some special time with these magnificent creatures. We cannot wait to welcome you back!
Reece, thanks for the information on the hyenas. I am fascinated by their perseverence in the bush. They will survive for a long time if they continue to follow their current path. It was interesting to see the tracker academy logo is the hyena.
Hi William, there is always something new to be learnt about the fascinating animals. I am so glad you enjoyed this blog!
This is great news! Do you have an estimate of the size of each hyena clan? I’m curious how many are in each family. Are there any official hyena studies taking place on Londolozi?
Hi Chelsea. Unfortunately, it can be quite difficult to estimate the exact sizes as they are very seldom all in the same place at once. Hyena dynamics are also constantly changing which makes it even more difficult to predict the exact numbers. Currently, there are no known official studies taking place but perhaps in the near future.
How exciting for you and your guests. I adore hyenas and their pups, like most babies, are totally adorable. Congrats!
Hi Karen. Thank you very much. I am so glad that you enjoyed this update on the Hyena havens on Londolozi!
I absolutely love hyenas. There are some wonderful photos in this article.
There is nothing cuter than a hyena cub.