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I see what you mean. the !Kung Bushmen of the Kalahari are clearly rank amateurs. They have a 'mutual respect' for Lions...but not for Hyenas (or Leopards for that matter). Lions don't attack them...Leopards and Hyenas will.

Hence the attitude.

The Lion is 'noble, royal' etc because it is the supreme predator and was a serious threat to man until the arrival of guns. That's why you see so many hieroglyphics of Pharoahs killing Lions...and the bragging rights this afforded. That's why the Romans wanted them...they were a supreme predator but Rome mastered them.

Hyenas are, from a human perspective, dirty, smelly, weird sounding and sneaky. The Bushmen consider them 'worthless' (likely because they would try to scavenge their kills - whereas they are known to 'negotiate' with Lions - that is, take their kills).

This is the reason the Tiger is revered...but the Dhole is (was) not. One is a supreme, deadly hunter, the other is a small pack animal that, like the AWD (also often despised) has a much higher success rate but elicits less respect due to its size.

Similarly with the Grizzly in N.A. - revered and feared by the Natives and there is anecdotal evidence Grizzlies saw white men as easy targets...only to be killed by guns. Jaguars were revered in S.A. as well.

Both Lions and Hyenas will scavenge and both will hunt. The reality is the Lion is the dominant animal and appealing to the eye. The Leopard, although inferior to the Lion, is also revered - it is also pleasing to look at, is a master of stealth and cunning and has legendary reputation. The Hyena simply does not elicit the same level of awe.

As to Lion-fans being Bear fans I'll assume that's directed at me. Boldchamp supports the Tiger over the Bear and most Lion fans are 'feline fans' over the Bear. I am more realistic. I still think there is good reason to support a similar-sized Cat over a Bear although I'm not completely certain of this anymore.