Editor's Den

Raghul Patteri

Editor

The spotted Hyena, Freak of nature, or marvel of evolution – the verdict on that one is still out. Sometimes in the animal kingdom, you come across such characteristics in an animal that you are left wondering, why would evolution do something like that.

Hyena fits this bill to the T. A staple of the African savannah, but one of the least admired by the numerous visitors. The looks and some seemingly vulgar habits all add to this lack of admiration. But they are an awesome carnivore, even capable of bringing down big cats like lions.

This article explores two aspects of the Hyena, one physiological and one sociological, and explorers if one is linked to the other.  They exhibit a complex matriarchal social structure and live in big clans and the need to flourish in this structure seems to have impacted their biology.

Thanks to all the wonderful photographers who have contributed amazing photographs in this edition. Special thanks for resisting the charms of the big cats and taking the time to photograph the Hyena. It is thanks to your work that we are able to bring the focus on the less charismatic animals, which are no less intriguing and special, like the Hyena.

Our next edition will chronicle the Grizzly Bears, so please be ready with your Grizzly Bear images.

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