Demonised by a series of bizarre superstitions, particularly in Rajasthan, the reality is that it’s a highly evolved and extremely intelligent creature, which is little studied and thoroughly misunderstood.
It has a distinct and rather ungainly appearance. Its forelegs are much longer than its hind legs, and it has a “mane” that runs down its spine, which only adds its notoriety as the“witch’s steed” among the tribes and rural folk in western Rajasthan.
This open grassland is full of small rodents that form its prey-base. That’s right, this Hyaena is not just a scavenger, it’s an omnivore. It hunts for itself and will even prey on sheep and cattle in neighbouring villages, but is equally likely to forage for gourds or melons. If you come across a Hyaena’s den, chances are that you’ll find a little pile of skulls and bones, but the fact is that they are the “housekeepers” of the wild, removing carcasses and carrion from the forest floor.
Encounters Asia’s trackers and naturalists keep a close eye on their habits and movements, so that you can hone in on exactly where they are going to be. In the Kutch region of Gujarat, they lie at the top of the food chain and have no natural predator. Therefore multiply uninhibited, but it’s interesting to observe that they raise their young in “community dens” where you’re likely to find more than one mother and her cubs.
206, Rakeshdeep Building,
11 Commercial Complex,
Gulmohar Enclave,
New Delhi, Delhi 110049
info@encountersasia.com
+91 11 26853760
Kusini Collection
4127 Martin Luther King Jr Wy S,
Seattle, Washington 98108,
United States