Mark Fox of Foxy’s On Safari filmed this interaction between a pack of wild dogs and a lone hyena. The hyena continued to bask quite happily in a waterhole, even while the wild dogs were present. The magical moment was filmed in the Kruger National Park.
Lone hyena enjoys bathing in the cool water
The setting by this particular waterhole was peaceful, in spite of the presence of some of the bushveld’s fiercest animals. A spotted hyena cooled off in the water, while in the distance some giraffe grazed.
The creature was all alone. It was difficult to say whether he was part of a clan. However, for this moment, it was just him… that is, until a pack of wild dogs arrived on the scene.
For wild dogs it’s all about the pack. They are highly sociable animals and also complete chatters. This means they constantly ‘talk’ to one another with yips or chirp-like sounds.
They’re also usually a bunch of frenetic energy. This means that when you see a pack while out on a game drive, they will often be buzzing about like a swarm of bees.
For now, however, their focus was on quenching their thirst.
The hyena basked in the water while they approached the water’s edge.
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Wild dogs edge towards spotted hyena
On seeing the hyena, the wild dogs were left curious. They edged forwards, entering the water, while watching the hyena. The hyena sat emerged in the water with his head sticking out. He appeared to have no intention of moving.
These two predators are normally competitors, often clashing over food and territory. Hyenas frequently steal kills from wild dogs, while wild dogs will aggressively defend their hard-earned meals. Encounters between the species are therefore often tense and can sometimes become violent.
However, in this instance, a solitary hyena may be less confident and aggressive without the backing of its clan. In rare cases, curiosity can replace aggression, leading to cautious approaches, sniffing, and even brief periods of co-existing alongside one another.
Species’ ‘friendship’ is short-lived
In this special sighting, it appeared the two species were at peace with one another and that the wild dogs had even befriended the lone hyena.
However, experts explain that while it may have appeared that though they were ‘befriending’ one another, their behaviour was more likely driven by investigation and assessment rather than genuine friendship.
The wild dogs eventually lost interest and the lone hyena continued to wallow in the water. This was definitely a fleeting friendship!
Each species on its own is thrilling to spot and watch but often it’s these dynamic interactions between species which make a sighting memorable. It’s always interesting to see what will happen when predators, fierce by nature, encounter one another.
Watch more dramatic animal interactions
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