Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania (July 2017)
Unfortunately, some of the most impressive and hardy of species are also some of the most overlooked. Scavengers such as hyenas and vultures are some of my favourite African species. While they may not be conventionally beautiful or ‘cute,’ they are impressively resilient and play vital roles in maintaining balance in their ecosystems.
The spotted hyena is an incredibly tenacious animal that is unfairly criticised, in part due to their portrayal in popular media. This is an intelligent, social and matriarchal species that lives in groups called clans. To conserve energy, they steal carcasses off other predators or scavenge when the opportunity arises; however, they are also exceptional hunters. Their ability to communicate combined with an up to 1,000 pound per square inch bite force makes for a formidable predator.
Perhaps even more maligned are the 11 African vulture species. They are instrumental in maintaining a healthy ecosystem. Their corrosive stomach acid allows them to digest rotting carcasses infected with disease (such as rabies), thus preventing them spreading to other, more vulnerable species. Worldwide, both Old World and New World vultures are being decimated and if they are to be given a fighting chance we must change the dialogue surrounding them.