There is always a risk that the animals in the Kruger National Park might take an interest in the vehicles that come trundling through their home, carrying tourists to see them.
Sometimes these animals might even damage vehicles, though this is rare and typically only superficial, with sharp teeth or claws leaving some small scratches.
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This hyena cub, that Theunisia Swanepoel spotted on the S1 in the Kruger, was clearly emulating these large and more dangerous animals when it took an interest in the trailer hitch on the back of a truck.
A Thorough Investigation
Theunisia sent the footage through to Latest Sightings, along with the story. The cub was waiting on the side of the road with three adults and two other cubs when the vehicles came to a stop nearby.
Clearly not one to let an opportunity for adventure pass by, this little cub began investigating the trailer hitch while the other two continued to relax by the side of the road.
Like many four-legged animals, the hyena cub only had its mouth to use in these investigations, and it began by chewing the edges of the trailer hitch, testing the water with its little teeth.
Mischievous Little Cub
The adult hyenas and the other cubs clearly didn’t think the truck was something worth investigating, but that was their loss. This little guy was enjoying it so much that it started tugging on it.
It might have only been small, but it was trying to be mighty, taking a whole truck for itself, or maybe trying to break off the hitching point so that it could use it as a portable toy.
Luckily, this hyena cub was far too small to do any real damage, and there was no chance it was going to be able to actually pull the vehicle, but let’s not break the truth to it and ruin its day.
Absolute Determination
The resolution of this cub was amazing. It had absolutely no power when compared to the truck, but it was determined to try and get something out of it, whether that was the hitching point, or the truck itself.
Hyenas have a remarkable strong bite force for their size, but this cub clearly hadn’t worked out how best to use that yet. The hitching point must have either tasted really good, or been very satisfying to chew because this little cub was not giving up on it.
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Not A Portable Toy
Unfortunately, the only thing the little hyena was going to be taking away with it was disappointment. It couldn’t move the vehicle, and it couldn’t break off the hitching point to use as its own little portable toy.
Maybe the cub wanted a memento to take back to its clan, or something it could use in a game with the other cubs. Without that, though, it would have to eventually accept its own failure.
At least this cub tried to tow the car, which meant it had more of a memorable experience than the other two, and its cute antics made for a brilliant sighting for Theunisia, so its efforts weren’t completely wasted.
