“How many are the things You have made, O L-RD! You have made them all with wisdom; the earth is full of Your creations. (Psalms 104:24) (JPS Hebrew-English Tanakh)
Author’s Note: My author’s profile indicates that I have a keen passion for the “flora and fauna of Israel.” In truth, I am passionate about the natural world in general, both the flora AND fauna, since the one cannot exist without the other. A forest without wildlife is an ecological cemetery, and a collection of animals without wilderness constitutes a zoo. I hope to periodically take a break from the more serious topics of the day, to reflect on areas of natural interest, and share my passion for Hashem’s creations which I hope the reader will enjoy.
The Allure of Wild Things
For many years, my free time was primarily committed to exploring the woods and wild places of the American east. During my many explorations, I was fortunate to encounter many species of North American wildlife, such as black bears, moose, alligators, and on one unique occasion, a close encounter with a Florida manatee (I bent down into the canal and petted it for a few moments). My search for the elusive Florida Panther in the Big Cypress Swamp though successful, were no less exciting. The search for wild things is in my blood.
Today I live in Israel, a tiny country whose borders tragically are shrinking for reasons I often address in other articles. Nevertheless, we are fortunate to have a diverse ecosystem disproportionate to our tiny size, containing a remarkable array of flora and fauna. In the following article, I will reflect on my personal attraction for all things wild, as well as a look at the elusive Syrian Striped Hyena (Hyaena hyaena) who can still be spotted today in Israel’s remote regions.
Since I was a child, I have been fascinated with the predators of the animal kingdom-large creatures that can eat me. The carnivores and other large creatures (such as the herbivorous hippo) who are dangerous to man, even if their dietary habits don’t require us as a nutrient. While “cute and cuddly” rabbits, prairie dogs, woodchucks, and the like certainly fascinate my interest, at the core I am a lions and tigers kind of guy. Perhaps it was the old Tarzan reruns I watched as a child on Sunday afternoons, or a harrowing encounter at the same age with a pack of local wild dogs. One of the hounds actually caught me in its vice like jaws and ran with me. It eventually released me rather than eat me and fortunately since there were no incidents of rabies in Long Island in the early 1980’s, I was spared a series of painful injections.
There is something liberating when one sees a potentially dangerous animal in its natural habitat. A surge of adrenaline, no doubt, but there is something philosophical about it as well. A sense of experiencing something that was once the norm and has only in modern times become the exception. (Disclaimer: Always observe dangerous animals within the context of a safe distant observation.) The late great writer of American wild places, Edward Abbey, articulated a definition of wilderness which resonates with my soul: “It ain’t wilderness unless there’s something out there that can eat you.”
As an adult avid camper/hiker being relegated by and large to the Eastern regions of the U.S., I spent considerable time searching for the elusive American black bear. Although technically omnivores and not interested in preying upon people, (their diet is primarily based on berries, insects, and nuts), the black bear fit the above definition for all things wild, since it is capable of attacking a human, although it is extraordinarily rare. I had many exhilarating encounters with these magnificent creatures who epitomize the essence of American wilderness. Fifteen years after the fact, I can now recall with fondness (a terrifying incident) when I was seconds away from being charged by a mother bear in a rural Pennsylvania landfill.
Israel Today: Where Are The Lions?
Today I live in a country largely devoid of the predators that I crave. In the Torah, we are introduced to the large predatory animals that were once so common in Israel. In his youth, King David slew a lion and a bear. Samson tore a lion to pieces. The challenge of the beautiful but oftentimes harsh natural world forged and molded some of our greatest biblical leaders. I often wonder how King David would have developed as a young shepherd in the absence of the dangerous challenges of the natural world, which both tested his mettle and created the righteous Torah-warrior whose Divinely inspired poetry are both Torah and tefillah.
Israel has always been a crossroads of import for both individuals and nations, and from an ecological standpoint, a spectacular array of wildlife. In the introduction to The Mammals of Israel, biologist/artist Walter Ferguson explains that since large sections of Israel were left uninhabited for hundreds of years, many species of wildlife had a haven until modern times. Furthermore, the technological revolution also contributed to the mass decimation of fauna, since modern weapons and jeeps allowed the mass slaughter of wildlife, that primitive hunting methods from atop an animal could not accomplish. The paved roads of the modern age also opened up the wild areas of the Negev and Judean Deserts, which were the domain of large carnivores. The developing infrastructure of the modern State of Israel further opened up the last remote regions of Israel.
Ferguson notes, that although modern highways have created situations where fearful animals are more reticent about crossing the road, and thus there are fewer roadkills, the downside is ecological fragmentation and genetic variety is impeded. Until recently, the smaller Arabian Leopard could occasionally be spotted in the Judean and Negev Desert. Today they are on the verge of extinction, if not there already. There is no viable population to reproduce, and their ability to do so is further hampered by their inability to roam and procreate with a shrinking (if not non-existent) community. Lastly, the destruction of natural habitat cannot be minimized, since animals need living space, and the mass poisoning of animals by frustrated farmers is an ever-present reality (Ferguson, pages 17-18).
Lions became extinct in our region during the Crusades, when the last African lion was killed near Megiddo. Crocodiles were denizens of the coast and other adjoining bodies of water until the early twentieth century. (It bears mentioning, that were there crocodiles in Israel today, pilgrims would be less likely to dip themselves in the Jordan River for fear of getting fressed upon.) The bears of the Northern regions saw a similar fate when a bedouin hunter shlepped the last Syrian grizzly down from Mt. Hermon in the early 1900’s. The Syrian leopard hung around till mid-century. The last cheetah was spotted near Yotvata in the late 1950’s.
Although there is still open space surrounding Israel, the areas are occupied by Arab nations who lack concern for human welfare and naturally have no regard for G-d’s natural world. Hunting is rampant in the Arab world. That is why there are so few four legged animals in Jordan. There are still mid-sized predators in Israel today, although as I’ve noted, the very big boys are long gone. A very long time ago, a midnight walk near the thickets of the Jordan River was an invitation to get eaten by a lion. Only in a fantasy world could they be reintroduced (though I would gladly exchange our human predators for a viable population of the former). The country is too small, and the farmers would never tolerate it. Today, much smaller wildcats such as the caracal still exist and they might very well survive in the future if Israel can institute a series of responsible conservation policies. The same can be said for the wolf and the striped hyena. The latter creature is the focus of this article.
The Syrian Striped Hyena
(Hyaena Hyaena/Tzavoa Mfusfas in Ivrit/Dab in Arabic.) The carnivorous striped hyena is the sole remaining representative of the hyena species that historically inhabited Israel. Most of the hyenas in Israel are Syrian specimens, although the Arabian Striped Hyena can be found near the Dead Sea region. As I see it, the beauty and fascination stems from the fact that it is a thoroughly fearsome looking creature that truly represents the nature of the Middle Eastern/African regions. The striped hyena is surprisingly large and feral looking, with a track that registers an average of 9 centimeters. The tracks of striped hyenas are actually larger than those of the Arabian leopard. They register as four toe impressions with four non-retractable claw marks, plus the pad of the foot.
The striped hyena is a scavenger who primarily consumes carrion, yet will also hunt smaller to mid sized animals including dogs and cats. The spotted hyena in Africa has been known to chase lions away from kills. Furthermore, the spotted hyena is also truly dangerous to man, although there are anecdotal accounts of striped hyenas attacking human (not in Israel to my knowledge). The striped hyena is an opportunist who often relies upon refuse from dumpsters on the peripheries of towns, as well as the produce of agricultural areas, with a penchant for melons, dates, etc. The striped hyena is solitary and more apt to run. But don’t underestimate him or disrespect his solitary ways. His jaws can easily crunch through bone, horns, and hooves. He keeps the ecosystem in check by breaking down the large rotting carcasses of large creatures that die from disease, old age, and the hazards of “natural living.” Scavengers are critical to the ecosystem.
Habits and Habitats: Where and How Does He Live?
Generally, the Striped Hyena lives in deserts, rocky hilly areas, savannas, and areas of agriculture. In Israel, they can be found throughout the country in undeveloped natural areas. From my personal experience, the easiest spotting is in the rural desert. They are indigenous to parts of Africa, the Middle East, The Caucuses, and Central Asia. Striped hyenas (as are other hyenas) are nocturnal and generally solitary, though on occasion they can be found in pairs, and groups of up to seven have been seen on occasion. The gestation period lasts 90 days, at which point a litter of 2-6 will be raised in an underground cave or den.
Does He Laugh?
This is up for debate, and it gives an inkling of the dearth of actual research on the Striped hyena. Israel has conducted several studies, but many Arab countries either ignore the data and/or omit Israeli findings from their research. Many scientists declare that the Striped hyena cannot laugh in the manner of the spotted version. Walter Ferguson maintains that it does. I am inclined to believe that he probably witnessed such behavior.
Is it a Hyena?
You can’t mistake this creature for another if you have a little knowledge of what to look for. First of all there are the distinctive classical “zebra-like” black stripes on the dirty white background of its coarse furred body; a long tail, pointy long ears, and a thick powerful neck. They are often described by scientists (such as Ferguson) as “front-heavy” or “ungainly” due to their longer forelegs and short hind legs which register as smaller tracks. While the classical loping stride suggests awkwardness, the striped hyena can actually run pretty fast. His powerful forelegs are ideal for digging and dragging. The dorsal crest along his back can be made erect when threatened, making him look considerably larger than his already large size. Whereas the Syrian Striped hyena has a dark muzzle, face, and throat, the Arabian striped hyena has a pale muzzle.