Inquisitive hyena cubs gnaw on guide’s boot as he sits on jeep in South Africa [Video]

This is the moment a tour guide remained incredibly calm as a pair of nosy hyenas walked up to his jeep and chewed on his boot and shoelaces.

Dillon Nelson was leading a tour through Sabi Sands Game Reserve, a 65,000 hectare reserve in the Lowveld of Mpumalanga of South Africa, when they passed by hyena den sites.

The amazing footage shows the two inquisitive predators, aged between 4 and 6 months, sidle over to Dillon – whose foot was resting on the running board outside the vehicle – and sniff his shoe.

This is the moment a tour guide remained incredibly calm as a pair of nosy hyenas walked up to his jeep and chewed on his boot and shoelaces in South Africa 

Clearly intrigued by the leather, but jumpy and nervous, the pair took turns in chewing the toe of the boot and even nibbled on Dillon’s shoelaces.

Dillon said: ‘I did not pull away because I did not want to cause any negative interaction between the animal and the vehicles.

‘I trusted that the hyenas’ instincts would tell them that my shoe was not an option. 

Dillon Nelson (pictured) was leading a tour through Sabi Sands Game Reserve, a 65,000 hectare reserve in the Lowveld of Mpumalanga, when they passed by hyena den sites

‘As soon as I had the chance to pull my foot away without giving them a fright, I did.

‘The sensation of the young one nibbling on my shoe was absolutely incredible. I could feel the raw power of its jaws from such a little interaction.

‘I do feel that the hyena could have caused some injury, but I did not feel threatened or nervous at all.

The amazing footage shows the two inquisitive predators, aged between 4 and 6 months, sidle over to Dillon – who had his leg and boot outside of the vehicle – and sniff his shoe

Clearly intrigued by the leather, but jumpy and nervous, the pair took turns in chewing the toe of the boot and even nibbled on Dillon’s shoelaces

‘I have been a professional nature guide for around seven years. I often sit turned in my seat with one foot on the step, so I could talk with my guests without having to turn uncomfortably.

‘While turned towards my guest the young ones got in close. On this occasion the hyenas, between the ages of 4-6 months, became particularly interested in my leather shoes.

‘I’m sure they could smell something similar to what they have smelt from an old dry skin left behind on a carcass. Or like most young animals they are very inquisitive.’

Game ranger Dillon previously filmed a mother leopard and her young daughter when the cub decided to get a closer look. 

The cub nibbles on a blade of dried grass and seems to be in a non-threatening mood as it looks directly into the camera lens

The 10-month-old cub climbed down from a termite mound in the same reserve and ended up inches away.

The photographer froze as the young leopard investigated his boot before staring him down and letting out a defensive hiss.

Of the encounter, he said: ‘I was quite nervous but more excited than anything else. It’s hard to describe how it felt during the sighting because I was trying to keep calm and take in what was happening.’