10 Reasons Why The Hyenas Are The True Heroes Of The Lion King
3. The Hyenas Are Scapegoated For Pride Rock's Depression
![Hyenascover](https://d2thvodm3xyo6j.cloudfront.net/media/2015/04/HyenasScapegoat-600x338.jpg)
Throughout the movie, the hyenas desire neither power, nor luxury. They advocate for one thing, and one thing only - the ability to hunt and feed themselves, and “never go hungry again.” It’s a modest, natural right, and the lions prevent them from pursuing it.
They exiled the entire hyena species - a part of the ecosystem, that had every natural right to be there - to a barren wasteland. And in doing so, they created their own worst problem - an entire generation of hyenas that was hungry, embittered, and resentful, and a Pride Lands ecosystem that adjusted to their lack of presence.
When Scar takes over the Pride Lands, this natural predator is dramatically re-introduced, and it has a catastrophic effect on the ecosystem.
Even so, hyenas don’t make the leaves fall off the trees. There was probably a drought as well (or a massive forest fire?), and the hyenas were as good a scapegoat as any. Definitely can't blame the lions, right?