The sound was amazing, resonating across the African plains, calling in the rest of the clan. It was a sight to see. At the end, the clan was 21 in number. A strong force to be reckoned with, but the lions were not about to lose their kill.
It all began with a damp afternoon. We were watching a group of lions drying out after a rain shower. Out of the corner of my eye I could see dust rising from the plains, we turned to see two hyenas cutting out a single wildebeest from the herd. They then proceeded to chase it across the plains, twisting and turning, in an attempt to bring the wildebeest down, throwing plums of dust into the air. Within minutes they were close by us, suddenly one lioness sprang up and raced towards the incoming wildebeest and brought it down in a strangle hold; snatching the kill from the poor exhausted hyenas. A fortunate and easy kill for the lioness.
The rest of the pride joined the lioness and settled down to enjoy their dinner, although this was not to be in peace. To our surprise the two hyenas, now recovered from the chase, did not desert the kill instead one of them put its head to the ground and started growling making this incredible sound. Our Masai guide told us this sound resonates across the plains calling other pack members to the kill area. Slowly in ones and twos, they all started to arrive. When the Alpha female arrived, she took over the calling duties, but her growling was much deeper and louder. Meanwhile the lions continued munching on the wildebeest.
Adult Spotted Hyena with Wildebeest horns
As each new hyena arrived, it was greeted with yelps and licks from other pack members, saying hi and here’s the kill. These animals started arriving from all around us, there were hyenas coming from everywhere. We don’t know how far the sound travelled, it may have been miles.
When the Alpha female felt comfortable that there was enough pack members there, she launched an attack on the lions attempting to chase them off the wildebeest. She was met with a hefty rebuff from the male, who made a run at her, but he didn’t chase her very far. He sauntered back to the kill and continued eating the Wildebeest’s head.
With the light rapidly fading, we just enjoyed the sounds of this amazing encounter. Did the hyenas get any of the kill, we will never know. I expect they were left with just scraps.
What we had witnessed has made such an impact; it is an experience that will remain with us for evermore.
Young Spotted Hyena pup emerging from den
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