A Curious Encounter: Baby Hyena Approaches Humans for a Closer Look

It was an unforgettable moment during our time in the South African bush—a young hyena, full of curiosity, approached our game-viewing vehicle. The little creature ventured close, sniffing the air, seemingly trying to figure out what kind of strange beings we were. For a brief moment, it locked eyes with us, its innocence a reminder of the wild’s wonders. As humans, we felt like the odd ones, observed by a creature more familiar with its surroundings than we could ever be.

This close encounter with the baby hyena made us reflect on our place in nature’s complex system. Hunting is a natural process—predators chasing prey sustain balance and healthy populations. However, hunting large predators raises ethical concerns. Lions, leopards, and hyenas often lack the instinct to flee from humans, making the pursuit neither fair nor balanced.

Within the reserve, we approach the hunting of large predators with great care and only under specific, justifiable conditions. Such hunts are rare and may occur for reasons such as genetic management, controlling predator overpopulation to protect prey species, addressing dangerous behavior in predators, or managing disease outbreaks. But hunting a predator that doesn’t naturally fear humans would undermine the very principles of fair chase and respect for the natural order.

Our interaction with the baby hyena, a young predator just beginning to explore the world, reminded us of the delicate balance we strive to maintain. Ethical hunting is part of that balance, but it must be carried out with respect and deep understanding. We must recognize our place within nature—not as conquerors, but as stewards of a beautiful system that demands fairness and responsibility.