The natural world sets the stage for dramatic stories, where heroes and villains emerge. Hyaenas and African wild dogs are often cast as the bad guys, but don’t let myths and appearances deceive you. Dig deeper, and you will find the traits usually associated with heroes – loyalty, survival skills, and family devotion.
Hyenas, long maligned as scavengers and assassins, are victims of a terrible miscarriage of justice. In their female-led clans, hyenas are fiercely loyal and devoted to their family. Even the youngest female outranks the oldest male – a system that fosters thriving communities.
Similarly, African wild dogs have a fearsome reputation, but these highly social animals form close-knit packs, led by an alpha couple. They are one of the few mammals to actively care for old, sick, or injured members of their pack.
