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Description
When: April 13, 2017
Where: Safaripark Beekse Bergen Hilvarenbeek, The Netherlands
We visited this zoo because the year before, there was a boom in Spotted Hyena births in the country's zoos, and we didn't see a one of them. We visited a zoo in the rain that year, and didn't see the twins born. This year, I was determined would be different. So when babies were born at this zoo (again), and I'd seen a lot of Hyena pup photos I figured we stood a good chance.
Alas, it wasn't meant to be.
The enclosure is large. As in HUGE, with three good sized places to overlook it from. Plenty of adults to be seen, no pups. So I walked on to the next view, checking out the holes (I knew the babies were kept in one below ground). While I was at the farthest look-out, M remained at the first where one of the pups came out, much to the disgruntlement of his mother who swiftly took him back into the hole. So while I didn't see the babies, M did - even managed to take 3-4 photos in the half a minute the pup was above ground.
We circled back and back that day - lots of cute adult Hyenas, but no babies. Still, we have this photo to squee at

Species: Spotted or Laughing Hyena (Gevlekte of lachende hyena)

Latin name: Crocuta Crocuta

Originates from Africa.

Current status: Least Concern

Did you know:

…The female Spotted Hyena has a pseudo-penis, making it hard to determine by looking at it whether it’s a male or female.

…It is the only mammalian species to lack an external vaginal opening.

…It counts as the most social of the Carnivora, meaning that it has the largest group sizes and most complex social behaviors, with a matriarchal hierarchy.

© Me

I love it when you love my work, but please, if you want to use it in any other medium, ask my permission first.

To see more various animal photos, check out my gallery

Description
When: April 13, 2017
Where: Safaripark Beekse Bergen Hilvarenbeek, The Netherlands
We visited this zoo because the year before, there was a boom in Spotted Hyena births in the country's zoos, and we didn't see a one of them. We visited a zoo in the rain that year, and didn't see the twins born. This year, I was determined would be different. So when babies were born at this zoo (again), and I'd seen a lot of Hyena pup photos I figured we stood a good chance.
Alas, it wasn't meant to be.
The enclosure is large. As in HUGE, with three good sized places to overlook it from. Plenty of adults to be seen, no pups. So I walked on to the next view, checking out the holes (I knew the babies were kept in one below ground). While I was at the farthest look-out, M remained at the first where one of the pups came out, much to the disgruntlement of his mother who swiftly took him back into the hole. So while I didn't see the babies, M did - even managed to take 3-4 photos in the half a minute the pup was above ground.
We circled back and back that day - lots of cute adult Hyenas, but no babies. Still, we have this photo to squee at

Species: Spotted or Laughing Hyena (Gevlekte of lachende hyena)

Latin name: Crocuta Crocuta

Originates from Africa.

Current status: Least Concern

Did you know:

…The female Spotted Hyena has a pseudo-penis, making it hard to determine by looking at it whether it’s a male or female.

…It is the only mammalian species to lack an external vaginal opening.

…It counts as the most social of the Carnivora, meaning that it has the largest group sizes and most complex social behaviors, with a matriarchal hierarchy.

© Me

I love it when you love my work, but please, if you want to use it in any other medium, ask my permission first.

To see more various animal photos, check out my gallery