On the morning of 24 June 2023, Lambert Fourie caught an exceptional sighting of a hyena, which was taking a bit of time out of its busy schedule to have a nice little swim.
Lambert was spending time near the Renoster Pan watering hole in the south of Kruger National Park when the hyena approached. He says that initially “the hyena seemed hesitant, constantly looking over its shoulder. Eventually he settled down and went into the water.
The Double Edged Blade Of The Watering Hole
Watering holes are a great place to wait for sightings, as all animals will go there eventually due to their need to drink. Unfortunately, tourists and photographers might not be the only ones lying in wait.
If all animals must come to the watering hole to drink, then it makes it the perfect place for ambush predators like crocodiles and big cats to attack. That would explain this hyena’s uncertainty before getting into the water to enjoy itself.
Watch Now:
More Than Scavengers
Although they’re land animals, hyenas are actually quite capable in the water, as this one shows. In their playful moments hyenas will often swim, and when more practical concerns arise they are even capable of diving for their food.
Although they’re famous for being scavengers, hyenas will be more than happy to hunt their own prey, and part of their diet does include fish, meaning they have to be proficient in water if they want to eat.
Absolutely Unbothered
Although watering holes can be dangerous places, often being the hunting grounds of lions which are one of the few animals that will prey on hyenas, this one didn’t seem to have much worry after it had gotten into the water.
Lambert described it as having all “four paws in the air, he was splashing about without a care in the world.” It’s clear lions and crocodiles weren’t on this hyenas mind while it was busy frolicking.
Get our Best Sightings as they Come in
Olympic Practice
It was then that Lambert saw the hyena, not just splashing around, but actually swimming, and doing backstroke. While backstroke is likely not a particularly important requirement for hunting in the water, this hyena isn’t on the clock, and has the opportunity to enjoy its spare time.
Like most other animals, hyenas will use water for a variety of reasons such as drinking or cooling off, but it’s great to see a hyena using it for nothing but fun.
Safer Than Most
While this hyena is the only one that was spotted taking a dip in the water, it wasn’t there alone and even had an audience for its game. This second hyena didn’t seem to want to join it fully in the water, but was content to watch it splashing about from the shore.
Although there were only two hyenas reporting as part of this sighting, they’re actually not considered as being at high risk of extinction. Their population is decreasing in the wild, mainly due to habitat reduction, but their numbers are not yet dangerously low, and their clans can number over one hundred members.