Hyena Swims In Tsavo East

There isn't much refuge for wildlife during the hot seasons at Tsavo East National Park. At the peak of the dry period, most of the semiarid grasses and bushes have all but vanished, providing very little cover from the scorching sun. The days here can be exceedingly hot, dusty and dry.

As the rainy season approaches, dark clouds coming up from the coast scatter little pockets of rainfall in some areas of the park, creating natural waterholes for the wildlife to take solace in.

In the below photograph, the continuous dry spell of 5 months was broken by a 2 day long shower creating a large waterhole. Among the many birds and mammals that were drawn to this alluring water body, were some hyenas who wasted no time in making use of this natural swimming pool. One individual in particular, seemed to be enjoying the swim a little more than the others!

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Hyena enjoying a swim at a waterhole in Tsavo East National Park

Hyena submerges its face into the waterhole to cool down in Tsavo

Hyena relaxing at a waterhole in Tsavo East

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