Hyena Eats Vehicle

Hyena and wild dogs in the riverbed. This hyena couldn’t stop chewing on things — grasses, sticks, then the bumper, the grill, the door….

One of the interesting things we’ve  learned is that big animals don’t generally perceive vehicles as a threat (though you can really piss an elephant off if you’re not careful, car or no, so that statement needs some qualification). It’s totally different on foot where you’re seen as a predator and a challenge. On foot, an animal will charge or attack if you don’t keep a significant distance. In a car, they might, but it’s much less likely. 

Apparently the animals see the vehicle as a single entity, even though they can see people in it. When you’re in a vehicle the animals stay nearby and are relaxed if you’re quiet and don’t make any sudden movements. The vehicle doesn’t seem to bother them, hence some of the great pictures we’ve gotten. However, if you poke an arm or a camera out the window, you’re in trouble. (We’ve seen a couple of people foolishly do this and the result is always the same—snarling, trumpeting, coming forward toward us, or running away, luckily no charging so far in our experience.) Given all of that, this hyena is so interesting. He’s just got to chew on the safari vehicle. He was obviously curious. It was fascinating to watch him. Go figure.