In defense of the hypocrites

Following the articles about hyenas, jackals and other wild animals that visit settlements and the strange reactions of those who are afraid of those animals or who feed them, here is a little information in the hope that maybe the attitude will change

Following the articles about hyenas, jackals and other wild animals that visit settlements and the strange reactions of those who are afraid of those animals or who feed them, here is a little information in the hope that maybe the attitude will change.

Hyenas - the family with the smallest number of species in the series of carnivores and in which four species are known: the smallest of all is the hyena Proteles cristata weighing about 10 kg. Its food is mainly insects and termites and its distribution is in Central and East Africa.
In southern Africa, the brown hyena Hyaena brunnea, which weighs about 40 kg, is common and is a typical carrion eater.
The largest of them all is the spotted hyena Crocuta crocuta which weighs up to 70 kg and is known as a predator of other people's prey but is also a skilled predator. It is possible that his qualities also contributed to our coloring some of the scary stories and practicalities, most of which are superstitions and nonsense.

We only find the striped hyena Hyaena hyaena. It weighs up to about 40 kg and is solitary, meaning it lives alone, a typical carrion eater and a big coward. In the past it was common in large parts of Africa, Asia and even Europe, but today its distribution has been greatly reduced.
Thanks to preserving nature - today there are hyenas all over the country, even if in tiny numbers. One of the reasons for the small numbers is the continuous harassment of the husband that originates from ignorance or perhaps because of misidentification and comparison with the spotted hyena.

Of all the predators in nature, hyenas are the most reviled and are referred to as "useless carrion eaters". Like the spotted hyena, the evil bully of the African plains, those who laugh in a group while robbing prey from their rich and glorious competitors."
The movie "The Lion King" presented the spotted hyena as a villain and even nature photographers accompany pictures of spotted hyenas with unflattering comments. Is this attitude justified? The bad reputation probably stems from being a carrion eater (although other carnivore species do as well), as well as the role it plays in African folklore.
It is said that pagan doctors in Tanzania who keep a hyena in a cage "go about their exploits at night while riding on its back." There is a superstition according to which "a child born on a night where hypocrites speak will grow up to be a thief."
Because of the hyena's association with eating rotting carcasses, there is a fear that it will also eat human carcasses. In spite of the Maasai who sanctify the land and therefore do not bury the dead - the important members of the tribe are placed on high platforms to be eaten by eagles, while ordinary people are placed to be eaten by hyenas. If the dead body is not eaten it is considered a shame and therefore some cover the dead body with blood and fat to attract the hypocrites.

When carnivores are described, respect is given to lions, cheetahs or tigers, while the term "carrion eater" "scavanger" is considered a negative description. This is a double mistake. First, because the role of the carrion eaters is important since they are nature's "sanitaries" without their activity the area would smell of carrion and be filled with flies. Secondly, the pictures in nature films showing a group of hyenas harassing lions on prey do not describe the whole picture. The spotted hyena does indeed eat carrion, but it is also a skilled hunter, so much so that in many cases the situation is the opposite of what is described: the hyenas prey and then are chased away by lions who block the prey. When given the opportunity, the hyenas will "rob" prey that they did not hunt, but this is how many predators behave, and even the human super-predator: There is a group of Maasai who "specialize" in robbing prey from lions.

"Gluttony-food" kleptoparasitism is a common phenomenon and it makes sense in terms of the need to conserve energy. In this way, Hamsan the food puts minimal effort and he does not risk injury, being chased or hunted. Robbing food from a hungry lion also has risks, but usually the one with the numerical advantage will win.
There is a tendency to ignore the hunting skills of the hyenas and at the same time admire the competitors such as the tiger that drags its prey to the top of the tree, the sprinting cheetah or the team work of lionesses. For some reason, the admiration and admiration is not attributed to the efficient teamwork of hunting hyenas. A hyena can hunt alone or the bigger the hunt, the greater the number of hyenas participating in the chase. Their ability to run at a speed of about 50 km/h for a long time gives them an advantage over many other hunters and that is why they are considered super predators in the African savannah.
The social structure of a group of hyenas is matriarchal, that is, in a group of hyenas the female is in control and her cubs are cared for and protected by all members of the group. The spotted hyena has a wide variety of sounds that are used for communication. There are those who call a high-pitched wail that is heard around a carcass - laughter, but the laughter of hyenas is a weak growl that signals surrender. Another call is a kind of barking that is heard at a distance and is used for communication between group members. This is the familiar call to anyone who has spent a night in the African savannah.

It is appropriate to give up the stereotype that can be painted by Disney films or even "documentary" films, since the spotted hyena is a predator with rights. An impressive and important predator as any of the large predators of Africa. An animal with qualities that people value in other species as well as in people. True, they scavenge other crazy prey but so do lions. When to us they look like an "angry crowd" it is actually the work of a skilled team.

I used the news about the hyena in Modi'in to describe a related species. That is why it is worth repeatedly emphasizing that our hyena, the striped hyena, plays an important role in the environmental system as a scavenger. It is possible that some of the negative feelings towards him arise due to his unique shape, with his front legs being larger and longer than the rear ones, this is to carry his relatively large head with strong jaws whose function is to crush bones. Added to this is a yellow and smelly discharge with which he marks his presence. A unique appearance, a unique variety of voices and a smelly discharge are not reasons for concern. He does not attack people, he does not laugh to attract children to his lair, he does not urinate to hypnotize adults.
The hyena has the right to live in its natural environment and our moral duty is to allow it.

If, after all this, there are those who fear the presence of wild animals on the streets of a settlement, there are simple solutions that deserve to be implemented. Avoid feeding and littering. Containers and trash cans must be closed effectively and trash piles that attract animals must be handled properly. Also, it is worth knowing and remembering that the danger to people from an encounter with a wild animal is much greater than stray dogs that can spread rabies and diapers that are left in the garbage and that can spread diseases and parasites, the most well-known of which is single-celled Toxoplasma gondii.which is transmitted in many ways and mainly infects women
There are studies that show that the parasite that reaches the brain affects behavior and in many cases frequent cat feeders are infected with the parasite.

It is worthwhile and appropriate to always remember that in an encounter between a wild animal and people, the invading species is the people who occupy more and more habitats of wild animals. The place of wild animals in the natural environment, the same environment that we control, change it and thus urge wild animals to seek sustenance in populated areas as well. All this mainly happens when there is someone who spreads garbage or food for them, because the person who spreads food for street cats also feeds rats and mice and creates an attraction factor for wild animals from the environment.

It is worth remembering the concept of "invasive species" that environmentalists do a lot to eliminate from the natural environment. Thus the fight against the bullfrog in Australia, the war against rats and mice on islands in the Indian Ocean, as well as the attempts to mitigate the invasion of the Indian crow, the sparrowhawk and the myna in our country.

Stray dogs and cats are the most dangerous invasive species for humans since they rely on the kindness and compassion of people while preying on and fatally harming wild animals. Even if there is a connection between love of animals and the need to preserve the environment, it is appropriate that animal lovers know that due to the need to preserve a natural environment, it is necessary to prevent predatory invasion. The need to preserve biodiversity in the natural environment also requires management, which sometimes means eliminating invasive species including cats and dogs. Therefore, if all respect and appreciation to animal lovers, they must know that the place of pets is in their owner's house and not on the street.
If we keep this order and leave the pets at home - it will be good for us to live.