Baby Hyena Names Announced By Monarto Safari Park

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: April 23, 2021 10:59 am

Newly named 5 month old spotted hyena cubs Fahari and Mahali in their enclosure at Monarto Safari Park

Photo Credit: Adrian Mann

Monarto Safari Park’s spotted hyena clan have enjoyed a busy week with two of their newest additions receiving their names and one of their members undergoing a successful health check.

Last week Monarto Safari Park keepers put out a call to the public for help naming their 5 month old cubs. Over 900 votes were cast and the winning names were Fahari and Mahali!

Newly named 5 month old spotted hyena cubs Fahari and Mahali in their enclosure at Monarto Safari Park

Photo Credit: Adrian Mann

In Swahili the names chosen mean “magnificence” for Fahari and “place” for Mahali. These are described as the perfect names for the twins who have been keeping mum Forrest and dad Gamba on their toes!

The two young hyenas have only recently been revealed as females. While for many mammals this is easy hyenas have unique genitalia which makes telling males and females apart from one another by sight near impossible.

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In other exciting news for the spotted hyena clan young male Mkoko had a health check last week and was revealed to be in perfect health.

While Mkoko was under general anaesthetic, the vet team took blood samples, checked his dental health and gave him an overall physical exam.

They also checked his ears for grass seeds – something any dog and cat owners in rural areas would be familiar with!

Mkoko also received a reversible contraceptive implant while under the anaesthetic. This will prevent unwanted breeding with the females in the clan to which he is closely related.