Chris Vermaak managed to capture the special moment in wildlife during a game drive through the Kruger National Park.

The carcass of a fallen giant – an adult elephant – lay within view and it was clear this was the result of a recent lion kill, as one of the lions which had brought the great creature down was still there!
It is clear from the way Chris has positioned his camera for the filming that he has something very special to show the viewer. However, a glance at the carcass and it is difficult to see anything unusual or noteworthy.

The perfect hiding spot?
It’s only on closer inspection that one can make out what appears to be a nose and some rather pointed white teeth from inside of the elephant carcass’s cavernous belly.

While one might have initially thought their eyes were deceiving them, it is now certain, there is an animal inside of the carcass! The tell-tale long nose and profile of the animal quickly gives the animal away as being a hyena.

Is it safe to come out?
The animal now comes out in full view of the viewer. It takes a look around. Is it safe to come out yet?

Its matted fur and traces of blood on its neck suggest it has possibly been doing more than hiding and possibly some feasting of its own.
Hyenas are opportunistic scavengers which often attempt to steal food from lions. This one doesn’t want to be caught by the magnificent predators which successfully brought the elephant down.

Unruffled lioness continues business as usual
In a glorious sweep of the camera, the other end of the elephant is seen. There beside the elephant’s head, lying quite peacefully with its face framed by the tusks, is a lioness.
However anxious the hyena appears, she seems quite content. A kill takes a lot out of a lioness, and she is resting and enjoying the spoils of her hard work.
Hyenas and lions are well-known for their ongoing rivalry and intense struggles for dominance. This dynamic creates a constant competition between the two species in the wild.
Lions are highly territorial animals and will aggressively protect their land from intruders. To safeguard their hunting areas, lions frequently fight off, sometimes even kill, hyenas. This is because hyenas often hang around to scavenge from their kills.
While a single hyena is no match for a lioness, hyenas rely on teamwork and often form groups to intimidate and overpower lions, to successfully take their kills. This one, however, seems to be alone. No wonder he is hiding!