Ethiopia: Harar – Feeding Hyenas

For over 500 years, wild hyena were allowed into the walled city of Harar at night to sanitize the streets. Some 500-1000 hyenas live around the city. In 1960s, farmers began the practice of actually feeding the hyenas to prevent them from attacking the livestock in the city. Nowadays, the hyenamen and feeding the animals is an absolute must-see and must-do in Harar. The massive spotted hyena take food almost from your hands and off small sticks from your mouth – you are face to face with hyena jaws and massive incisor teeth. Want more thrill? The hyenaman instructs hyenas to climb on your back and stand on hind legs to grab food from above your head. A totally insane experience!