He stood alone, on guarded watch over the hyena den.

Umlindi means “the watchman.”.

The golden African sun reflects its last burst of warmth before the impending night arrives over the wild lands. With it, a lone hyena cub stands as a centurion at the entrance of its empty den, awaiting the return of the clan and, hopefully, food. The cub remains quiet, steadfast, and ever-watchful as his eyes scan the distant hills and bush for signs of their return.

A fish eagle silhouetted in a large fever tree nearby suddenly tosses its head backwards, making a loud, penetrating “wheeee-ah-kleeuw-kleeuw-kluuu” call. The sound echoes softly into the distance, rolling amongst the hills, eventually leaving a heavy silence behind it. The hyena remains steadfast, unblinking as he continues to remain vigilant, his ears now alert for any familiar cackles from his returning family. But he has a long wait, and he knows it. Turning away, he heads back to the den hole, pausing briefly for one more moment to stare back at the yellowing horizon before he disappears back into the welcoming embrace of his den, leaving a deathly silence that settles like dust where he stood.

Spotted Hyenas: Social Structures and Complex Communities

Spotted hyenas, often misunderstood and misrepresented, are among the most socially intricate animals in the wild. They form large groups known as clans, which can consist of anywhere from six to a hundred individuals. These clans exhibit complex social hierarchies, reminiscent of the social structures seen in human societies.

In these clans, female hyenas dominate the social order. Unlike many other species, it is the females who rule, despite not being significantly larger than the males. Their marginally larger size and heightened aggression are thought to contribute to their leadership roles, a fascinating aspect of their social dynamics.

The hub of a clan’s social life is the communal den. These dens serve as the central meeting point for the clan and are essential for their social interactions. Some clans may remain loyal to a single den for years, while others might rotate between several dens throughout the year or even use multiple dens simultaneously. Interestingly, these dens often feature numerous entrances, sometimes exceeding a dozen, and are typically situated on flat terrain.

Despite the strong bonds they form with their clanmates, spotted hyenas often spend much of their time alone or in smaller sub-groups. However, they demonstrate remarkable cooperation when it comes to hunting and defending their prey. When it is time to hunt, they gather in force to take down large prey and collectively defend their kills from other hyenas and predators. In this case, the hyena was the only cub, but an alert adult remained behind to ensure the safety of the cub and den.

Raw Africa Collection

Welcome to Africa - the wise, the restless, the life giving.

This soulful land of dreamers gives rise to the underbelly of a beautiful gentle beat that is only heard by those who listen for it. This photographic journey explores, profiles and captures what I hope is the heart and soul of Africa's true wilderness kingdom. From its deep bush to its dry savannah and desert, Africa remains a place where life is represented by timeless vistas that are distilled into moments to treasure.