Watch the video here:
Madelein Alexander submitted this short sequence to Latest Sightings. She filmed it at the camp fence one night, while visiting Kruger National Park.
Extra time
As night falls in the Kruger Park, many visitors mistakenly believe that the wildlife viewing for the day is over. However, others know that there is still a chance of spotting some action at the camp’s boundary fences.
This is particularly the case with those whose accommodation is close to the camp’s boundary fence. Armed with torches and spotlights, they scan the surrounding bush, hoping to see some of the nocturnal action on the other side.
Run, run, run
As Madelein’s video begins, we join her as her companion shines a light along the fenceline. As we watch, we hear her calling out, “Hardloop, hardloop, hardloop!” Speaking in Afrikaans, she is urging something to run.
Moments later, we get our first glimpse of a creature running parallel to the fence. Still hidden in shadow, it’s hard to make out what it is at first glance. Similarly, the footage gives no clue why it is running.
Jackal flash
As the light tracks the creature, it finally illuminates it enough for us to see that it is a black-backed jackal. About the size of a border collie, jackals are best known as scavengers, although they also hunt small prey such as rodents.
Having seen no prey running before it, we’re still none the wiser as to why Madelein is urging it onwards. As it disappears into the darkness, the camera pans back to the right, searching for whatever’s coming next.
Ominous shape
A few moments later, an ominous silhouette appears in the spotlight’s beam. Running with a distinctive loping gait, there’s really only one creature it’s likely to be…
Consequently, as it draws alongside Madelein’s position, our suspicions are confirmed. It is a spotted hyena, another of Kruger’s hybrid hunter-scavengers.
Like jackals, hyenas are best known as scavengers, whose powerful jaws can crack bone. While people often see both during the day, they are most active when temperatures cool overnight.
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Why are they there?
Quite why the hyena is chasing the jackal is unknown. What we do know is why they are so close to the camp’s perimeter.
Although strictly forbidden, unethical visitors will try lure them closer with food. They soon become dependent on the easy meal, losing their natural fear of humans.
In some instances, park officials euthanise these animals. This is a tragic outcome for an animal that doesn’t know any better.
Cat-and-mouse
Thankfully, we don’t see any indication of illegal feeding taking place here. Instead, it seems to be a game of cat-and-mouse.
After a few moments, we see the jackal come running back in the opposite direction. Luckily, the jackal has excellent stamina.
While they can reach speeds of 40 mph (65 km/h) in short spurts, they can maintain a steady pace of 10 mph (16 km/h) for extended periods.
Not long after, the hyena also comes loping by. They can run as fast as jackals; however, over long distances can maintain speeds of 40–50 km/h for several kilometers.
For the jackal’s sake, we hope this is just a game.
