If you’ve ever been on safari at night, you’ve probably heard it: that eerie, high-pitched “laugh” echoing in the dark. The first time I heard it in Kruger, it sent a chill down my spine. It felt like the bush was full of dangerous creatures laughing at me. That sound belongs to the spotted hyena, an animal that has carried around one of the worst reputations in Africa: cowardly scavenger, skulker, thief.