OK, so the basic gist of this is that there is a small group of locals in Harar, Ethiopia that feed these wild hyenas every night, just outside the walls of the old town. Legend has it that practice began in the 19th century, during a famine. The locals feed the hyenas to appease the animals in times of drought, so they wouldn’t attack children or livestock.
They are feed some old meat that the guys buy off local butchers. The ‘donations’ you make to take photos go to buying the meat.
For 50 Ethiopian burr, which is about $4 U.S. dollars these days, you can take pictures of the guy feeding the hyenas, and. . . feed them yourself.
Traveling overland around the world was great for a number of reasons — I doubt I would have ever had this chance without going overland through Africa.
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I spent a week in Addis and did not get to Harar. That would have been fun to do.
assumption of the risk!
Wow! I can't believe you did this. Are they tame? Or, do they live in the wild and just come in for feeding times?
Whoaaaa!!!!! They look just like in the Lion King!!
They are HUGE!
To me, there’s something so ancient-looking about heynes. I’d be really nervous to do this, but I bet it’s amazing! I hope to travel to Ethiopia someday!
That’s AWESOME! Great pics.
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This is amazing!! omg
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Okay that’s just nutty! I saw this on a travel show recently, must have been pretty freaky!
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It was an odd evening, that is for sure. But really glad I did it.
That’s incredible Michael! I would have been scared out of my mind, but would have forced myself to feed them. Buying a round of meat is a decent trade-off to take photos!
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Nice photos and an interesting experience. I’ll have to add it to my list for Ethiopia, Thank you!
I will be in Ethiopia next month along with my friend. Harar is on our destination list but to be honest even if it is a great experience I would try this one! I missed for the same reasons – fear- the snake village in Hanoi..
Hope to defeat my fear and to do as you did…