A unit of British soldiers from The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment encountered a group of hyenas while conducting a patrol during military exercises in Kenya. The troops, known as the Lions of England, were participating in Exercise Haraka Storm in the Laikipia region near the foothills of Mount Kenya when they noticed they were being followed by the animals.

Lance Corporal Connor Brady, 28, from Bootle, Merseyside, described the encounter, explaining that the soldiers became aware of the hyenas trailing their movements during the patrol. The soldiers responded by shining a white light toward the hyenas and making noise, which eventually deterred the carnivores from approaching further.

The exercise is part of the regiment’s ongoing training to prepare for their deployment reinforcing NATO’s eastern flank amid concerns over Russian aggression. The troops have balanced their rigorous training with moments of appreciation for the local wildlife. L/Cpl Brady noted that despite initial caution, the soldiers enjoy observing the surrounding animals during their time in Kenya.

Exercise Haraka Storm provides the British forces with valuable experience operating in diverse terrain while demonstrating readiness to support international security commitments. The incident with the hyenas highlights the unpredictable challenges faced during field operations in remote environments.