The hyena cubs lay patiently by the den, awaiting their mothers return before nightfall.

Miyela means “quiet” in Tsonga.

It was a long afternoon, and the burning African sun started to descend, announcing an approaching golden dusk. Its heat had found its way into every nook and cranny, forcing the cubs to lay outside their den, taking in the now cooler, soft breeze moving in. It was a game of patience, as the wait could be long - sometimes even more than a day - so the little one shifted again, this time settling behind the older sibling. Softly grunting, they took turns to occasionally sniff at the horizon in the direction she had left for any sign of her return, and with that, food for them to feast on.

The chirp of a nearby lilac-breasted roller caught the young cubs’ attention briefly as he watched it hop across a nearby acacia branch higher up, before flapping away. In the distance, the occasional calls of a passing pair of brown-headed parrots reported far away, as they squawked briefly and then disappeared again. With that passing, the bush became silent once again, only the soft wisp of a former breeze blew briefly and then seemed to stop altogether, leaving the heat of the day to reach out once more, as their wait continued.

Hyena Cubs: Some Facts

Hyena cubs begin their journey in the wild with black, scruffy fur, tiny teeth already breaking through their gums, and their eyes wide open. At birth, they weigh around 500 grams, and for the first few days, their mothers keep them hidden from the rest of the clan for protection.

Hyena cubs nurse for about one to two years. Female cubs stay with their birth clan, while males venture out on their own around the age of three. Unfortunately, only half of all spotted hyena cubs make it to adulthood.

By the time they are five months old, these cubs start nibbling on meat from nearby kills. When they hit the one-year mark, they begin tagging along with their mothers on hunting and scavenging trips. Until then, a babysitting adult watches over them at the den.

Spotted hyenas are renowned for being some of the best mothers in the animal kingdom, putting more energy into raising each cub than any other land carnivore.

Raw Africa Collection

Welcome to Africa - the wise, the restless, the life giving.

This soulful land of dreamers gives rise to the underbelly of a beautiful gentle beat that is only heard by those who listen for it. This photographic journey explores, profiles and captures what I hope is the heart and soul of Africa's true wilderness kingdom. From its deep bush to its dry savannah and desert, Africa remains a place where life is represented by timeless vistas that are distilled into moments to treasure.