Hyena 'Supermum' Rescues Cubs from Flooding Den at Yorkshire Wildlife Park
Rangers at Yorkshire Wildlife Park expressed immense relief after a spotted hyena proved herself to be a 'supermum' by rescuing her newborn cubs from an underground den threatened by torrential rains. The dramatic rescue unfolded last week when the hyena, named Noubia, emerged from her den with a soggy but healthy cub clutched in her mouth, much to the amazement of park visitors.
Dramatic Rescue from Flooding Den
Noubia had taken over an existing underground den that was originally constructed by another hyena at the park. These dens, typically adapted from abandoned burrows dug by other animals, can stretch between four and twenty metres in length and serve as secure nurseries for hyena cubs in the wild. However, recent heavy downpours raised serious concerns about potential flooding in the den where Noubia was keeping her newborns safe.
"We were very excited when we got a call to say a visitor had seen it above ground," explained Rebecca Brown, 36, Carnivore Team Leader at Yorkshire Wildlife Park. "It was a massive relief for us. It was raining, it was cold, it was amazing for us to see."
Rangers had suspected Noubia was pregnant but faced challenges monitoring her without disturbance due to the hyenas' secretive nature and preference for underground dens. The appearance of the first cub above ground provided crucial confirmation that Noubia had successfully given birth.
Second Cub Discovered in Heated House
Days after the initial sighting, park staff made another exciting discovery when a second healthy cub appeared in the hyenas' purpose-built heated house. Noubia had deliberately transported both cubs from the vulnerable underground den to the safety of the temperature-controlled enclosure.
"To see the baby was alive and she'd chosen to bring it into the heat of the house was fantastic," Brown continued. "It's a month old and its little belly is full."
The cubs have since become stars of the park, making several appearances outside with their mother to the delight of visitors. Park staff now rely on visitor photographs to monitor the elusive family, as hyenas naturally maintain secrecy during early motherhood.
Challenges of Hyena Motherhood
Hyena reproduction presents unique challenges that make Noubia's successful motherhood particularly noteworthy. Female hyenas possess higher levels of male hormones, resulting in larger, stronger bodies and modified reproductive anatomy that can make labor "traumatic," with approximately 60 percent of mothers or cubs not surviving the birthing process.
"They often like to take their babies into dens because in Africa little hyenas would be perfect snacks for lions," Brown explained, highlighting the instinctual protective behaviors that likely motivated Noubia's den selection.
The father hyena, named Speedy, has been keeping his distance from the new family. "He occasionally has a sneaky look; she reminds him to stay back and chases him and nips his back leg," Brown described. "He has to be 'speedy' with Noubia, as female hyenas are very dominant, so he's very low ranking and a bit of a cuddler."
Conservation Significance and Hyena Characteristics
Noubia traveled from Belgium to join Speedy at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in late 2025 as part of a Europe-wide breeding program. The successful survival of her first cubs represents a significant milestone in conservation efforts for spotted hyenas, whose wild populations face concerning declines.
Spotted hyenas, also known as laughing hyenas, are highly intelligent creatures with complex communication systems. They utilize approximately twelve different vocalizations, including distinctive yells, whoops, and cackles that can be heard from distances exceeding five kilometers.
"It was heartwarming to see Noubia take her cub inside," said Dr. Charlotte MacDonald, Director of Animals at Yorkshire Wildlife Park. "It is great to know that Noubia knows where safety is and that she has that trust in us. Hyena cubs are highly precocious - born with their eyes open and with teeth - they can move quickly within 10 days or so."
Dr. MacDonald added: "This is Noubia's first cub, but it seems she is a natural mother. We hope they continue to do well. Speedy and Noubia were only introduced a few months ago and got on really well straight away. We are delighted that they were able to contribute to the breeding programme so quickly."
The park respects the animals' natural preferences while providing necessary support, acknowledging that hyenas "love to dig their own dens and feel secure in them to give birth" while ensuring safety measures are in place for extreme weather conditions like the recent torrential rains that threatened Noubia's original den choice.
