After suffering through a long and intense dry season, the first summer rains finally arrived in all areas of the Greater Kruger National Park. Animals and plants that suffered through the dry season are now living and thriving in the season of plenty.
While on a safari, we stopped at a low water bridge to admire the first water that was coming down the river. I also noticed a lot of movement in the first shallow waters and quickly realized it was catfish, hundreds of them. All the splashing and movement in the shallow waters eventually attracted the attention of a lone hyena that was strolling past. The next moment I saw something I have never seen in the African wild. The hyena got off the bridge, into the water and started chasing after the catfish. The hyena ran up and down after the fleeing catfish, looking really funny and clumsy at its fishing attempts. After all, it is most likely the hyena’s first ever attempt at catching a fish. Associating hyenas with fishing is uncommon and very unusual. While hyenas mostly scavenge on red meat, they do not discriminate when it comes to meat in general. Hyenas are opportunistic hunters, and when hundreds of catfish are splashing around in the shallows, the temptation for an easy meal will be overwhelming.
At first it wasn’t that easy for the hyena, running up and down after the catfish. The hyena persisted in its efforts and eventually it managed to find a catfish stuck against the bridge. The hyena grabbed the opportunity and snatched up a decent sized meal. The hyena casually moved out the river before disappearing into the bush to go and enjoy its catch of the day in peace.