The Lions and the Hyenas

9 The Lions and the Hyenas Abu was a man who knew everything about lions and hyenas. He had lived with them and hunted them for years. Now, he worked to help save them. He came to our school to tell us about them. Abu explained that among some animals, the females are in charge. The female lions live together in groups called “ prides" and raise young lions. The male lions, once they become adults, move out and live on their own. Life in the wild can be difficult. Often, there is a limited supply of food. Lions have to compete with their most-hated enemies, hyenas. When a pride kills an antelope or a water buffalo, the only thing that can drive off the lions is a large group of hyenas. Normally, a fight between a lion and a hyena would not be a fair fight because lions are so big and powerful. But hyenas live in large packs and often outnumber the lions as they hunt and feed.

Abu said, " I knew one huge male lion named Rex, which means king. One time, a huge hyena pack came close to the female lions and their babies. It was many hyenas against only a few lions and their cubs. It didn't look good as the hyenas attacked, but Rex suddenly showed up out of nowhere. He courageously fought the hyenas himself, killing them one by one. “ Those he did not kill, he drove them off with loud, ferocious roars, " Abu continued. “ The lions and hyenas fight each other for the same food all the time. Sometimes, the lions win and sometimes the hyenas drive off the lions. But, there are always battles. " So, be grateful next time you pull your sandwich out of your lunchbox that you don't have to fight a pack of hungry hyenas for it! " We all laughed. I would like to travel to Africa one day and get a close look at those lions and hyenas. But not too close!