What would happen if a spotted hyena came face to face with a wild dog? Hayley Myburgh recently filmed a chance encounter between the species in the Kruger National Park.
Chance encounter sighted during night drive
The wild dog had been lying down at the side of the road, when a spotted hyena came walking along.
Both spotted hyenas and wild dogs are intelligent predators which survive by reading danger carefully, and each understands the risks of injury.
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For this reason, the meeting between the two was met with a measure of caution from each animal. Had food been involved, this tension would most likely have increased. Thankfully there was none around and so there was no unnecessary fighting between the two animals.
It was also unusual that the wild dog was alone at the side of the road. Wild dogs are extremely social animals and usually move around with their pack. They depend heavily on pack cooperation for hunting, protection and raising pups. Most are normally seen moving, resting or hunting with their pack.
However, wild dogs can be found alone. There are several reasons why one might be alone. Young adults sometimes leave their birth pack in small same-sex groups to search for unrelated mates and form new packs.
A wild dog may also fall behind if it is injured, exhausted or sick.
A lone spotted hyena, however, is actually much more common than a lone wild dog. Although spotted hyenas live in large social groups called clans, individuals often travel, patrol or hunt alone for parts of the day or night.
See more dramatic encounters
We know how exciting it is when these chance encounters happen in the bushveld. This is why we want to keep you updated with more interspecies confrontations such as this one. Click here to join our WhatsApp group for more Kruger National Park sightings.
Hyena approaches wild dog with caution
Noticing the wild dog, the hyena started to approach the dog. It skulked towards the reclined animal, demonstrating both interest and caution.
Hyena inspects wild dog
At one point it leaned in towards the wild dog as though to get a closer look. The wild dog appeared relatively harmless and its posture suggested little threat at this moment.
However, it rose to its feet; as intrigued by the hyena as the hyena was by it.
Animals walk in circles around one another
In an interesting interaction, the two animals circled around each other; considering the other animal. They took in one another’s breadth and height and continued to walk in circles.
This was tantamount to ‘sizing each other up’.
A closer inspection before parting ways
Having done so, they then leaned in towards the other animal, noses close together. The tension in the air was evident.
This beautiful nighttime encounter was a reminder of the dynamic interactions which occur frequently in the wild.
When hyenas and wild dogs meet, the outcome usually depends heavily on numbers. Had there been more pack or clan members, the situation might have ended quite differently. However, this was for the most part, a peaceful meeting between two of the bushveld’s most feared species.
Both predators play critical roles in maintaining healthy ecosystems. Wild dogs often target weak or sick animals during fast chases, while hyenas clean up carcasses and recycle nutrients back into the environment.