Hyena Man in Harar

The eyes of another hyena approaching behind Paula reflect the strobe’s light.

On a trip to Ethiopia with Elderhostel (Boston, MA; 877/426-8056, www.elderhostel.org) in October ’06, I had the opportunity to feed a wild hyena.

One of the most enduring popular attractions in the city of Harar is the Hyena Man. At about 7 p.m. he starts calling the wild hyenas by name. After 10 minutes or so, the animals appear from the shadows. The hyena is Africa’s second-largest predator and is potentially very dangerous.

I held a stick with meat on its end and one of the hyenas jumped up and got it. The Hyena Man uses throwaway meat from the butcher. As you can see from the picture, I was frightened. On a trip to Africa the year before, a giraffe ate food out of my hand, but this experience was more exciting.

PAULA O’CONNOR

Park Ridge, IL