H2_W3_002

Date: 2008

Location: Velavadar National Park, Gujarat

Did you know?

The Striped Hyena is a species of hyena native to North and East Africa, the Middle East, the Caucasus, Central Asia, and the Indian subcontinent. It is listed by the IUCN as near-threatened, as the global population is estimated to be under 10,000 mature individuals. The Striped Hyena is the smallest of the hyenas and is not as vocal as the Spotted Hyena.

About the picture

We were in Velavadar, Gujarat photographing Black Bucks and it was getting very close to sunset. Just as our driver was turning the jeep around, we saw a head emerge from the ground. Turns out that there was an underground hyena den and these two pups made their way out, stretched, and then started playing.

Fun Fact

The Striped Hyena is the national animal of Lebanon.