10 Reasons Why The Hyenas Are The True Heroes Of The Lion King
8. The Hyenas Are Denied Their Rightful, Natural Place
The hyenas are native creatures of the African savannah. But contrary to his prior statements, Mufasa does not include them as a part of the ‘Circle of Life.’
Perhaps they pose a threat to the lions’ dominance?
Whatever the case, as soon as he hears that they have crossed the northern border, he races to drive them back to the Elephant Graveyard - a place that we later discover is barren, sulfury, and cloaked in 24/7 darkness (even during the daytime). It’s where animals go to die - acres of it are littered with massive bones and decaying elephant corpses.
In short, the hyenas have been segregated to an infertile area that no one else wanted anyway - the equivalent of a government sanctioned reservation. Is it any wonder that the hyenas are embittered?