Protecting against hyena damage?

[michael.g.miller]

I'm currently planning a round the world trip starting this summer in my DA42. Part of my flying will take me to Africa, which I'm very excited about. I've never done a safari before (or been to Africa for that matter), so this trip will be a great chance to go on some game drives.

However, I saw some photos that got me worried:







All of those were caused by hyenas. Apparently they love plastic, rubber and wood. I know it's common practice to put thorn bushes around the tires, but the airframe and propeller damage has me worried to say the least!

Any suggestions on how to avoid a similar problem, should I find myself landing at a bush strip with no facilities?

[KASPER]

I don't know if this is just a myth. You must mark your ownership of the aircraft with urine on the wheels.

[Swampdonkey]

Its not just hyenas, but lions too. The bushes do work, the urinating is a myth. One guy I knew in the past used to put a small (knee high) temporary electric fence (as used for sheep) powered by a small solar powered battery (similar to a gate motor battery) right around his aircraft.

The animals are attracted by the smell of bug splats and begin to lick the leading edges especially of the horizontal stabilizer, and this escalates to chewing, so stack the bushes right around the tail section. Before leaving the aircraft wipe off all the leading edges (props too) with an oily rag, I used the same one I used to clean the dipstick. The critters appear not to like that smell.

(Been there, done that, had to explain to the chief pilot )

[TikkaT3]

Best thing is to hire a local villager to stand watch and sleep under the wing. Try and arrange beforehand so that they don't have to leave the aircraft to go get food, they should bring enough suppliers (and means to make fire torches) to last the duration. I've had the chaps fighting off a pride of lions (they wanted to chew the tires) and an Elephant that wanted to rub itself against the plane.

[SandPiper]

Also get someone to guard the plane against the two legged hyenas.

They will steal your fuel, break the door open to take the first aid kit, been there as well......

[michael.g.miller]

Best thing is to hire a local villager to stand watch and sleep under the wing. Try and arrange beforehand so that they don't have to leave the aircraft to go get food, they should bring enough suppliers (and means to make fire torches) to last the duration. I've had the chaps fighting off a pride of lions (they wanted to chew the tires) and an Elephant that wanted to rub itself against the plane.

How much does this generally cost to hire a guard for a night?

[Whirly]

Best thing is to hire a local villager to stand watch and sleep under the wing. Try and arrange beforehand so that they don't have to leave the aircraft to go get food, they should bring enough suppliers (and means to make fire torches) to last the duration. I've had the chaps fighting off a pride of lions (they wanted to chew the tires) and an Elephant that wanted to rub itself against the plane.

How much does this generally cost to hire a guard for a night?

Rather just plan to go to major airports, there are enough of them.

Whirly.

[TikkaT3]

Best thing is to hire a local villager to stand watch and sleep under the wing. Try and arrange beforehand so that they don't have to leave the aircraft to go get food, they should bring enough suppliers (and means to make fire torches) to last the duration. I've had the chaps fighting off a pride of lions (they wanted to chew the tires) and an Elephant that wanted to rub itself against the plane.

How much does this generally cost to hire a guard for a night?

Depends on which country. Very remote strip in the Luangwa valley the guy wanted R35 a night, I paid a lot more than that. He literally fought off a pride of lions with an overall jacket twisted to an axe and set alight, waved it like a torch.

[michael.g.miller]

Depends on which country. Very remote strip in the Luangwa valley the guy wanted R35 a night, I paid a lot more than that. He literally fought off a pride of lions with an overall jacket twisted to an axe and set alight, waved it like a torch.

Holy S!#@, I’d be worshipping him! R35 is less than I pay to tie down in most of the US, a very small price to pay!

[Airwayfreak]

the urinating is a myth.

Definitely a myth. I tried this once but a damn amorous hyena followed me all the way to the hotel

[Whirly]

the urinating is a myth.

Definitely a myth. I tried this once but a damn amorous hyena followed me all the way to the hotel

Did she get to spend the night?

Whirly.

[Airwayfreak]

the urinating is a myth.

Definitely a myth. I tried this once but a damn amorous hyena followed me all the way to the hotel

Did she get to spend the night?

Whirly.

Yep...even did the dishes the next morning

[mol]

Hi Michael.

We use a portable electic fence with a solar battery charger. About R 5000 from Nemtec.

So far so good. (Touch wood).

Not sure if it will work for the DA42, complete system is about 18kgs and quite bulky.

[thelsa]

Heard the other night from a Game Ranger that someone believes that chilly peppers thrown in a circle around the AC keeps these type of annimals away. Might be a myth though.

[Chris71]

Heard the other night from a Game Ranger that someone believes that chilly peppers thrown in a circle around the AC keeps these type of annimals away. Might be a myth though.

That would definitely work if they were Red Hot Chili Peppers.