Baby Hyena Joins Busch Gardens’ Clan

TAMPA, FL — Visitors to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay may notice a new celebrity on display in the Edge of Africa habitat. Mandazi, a 20-week-old male hyena, has officially joined the park’s clan.

Mandazi was born at the park on April 3. He is named after a traditional pastry made on the Swahili coast, Busch Gardens said in an email to media. It seems the little guy’s “sweet personality” made the name a good fit.

Mandazi is the first cub born to 8-year-old Taziki, who was also born at Busch Gardens. His father is Makali, 16, who came to Busch Gardens in 2008 from the University of California Berkeley.

Hyenas are not currently considered endangered, but Busch Gardens notes their populations and habitats are shrinking. Inasmuch, the birth is part of Busch Gardens’ ongoing partnership with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan program.

Hyenas are known to live in matriarchal groups and are considered more closely related to a mongoose and cat than a dog, according to Busch Gardens.

Mandazi can be seen in person in the Edge of Africa exhibit area at Busch Gardens. For more information about visiting the park, visit Busch Gardens online.

Photo courtesy of Busch Gardens