Imagine dedicating a decade of your life to capturing just one photograph. That’s exactly what South African wildlife photographer Wim van den Heever did, and the result is nothing short of breathtaking. But here’s where it gets controversial: Is this level of dedication to a single shot a testament to passion, or does it border on obsession? Let’s dive into the story behind his award-winning image of a rare brown hyena stalking the eerie remains of a diamond mining ghost town in Namibia’s Namib Desert.
Kolmanskop, a once-bustling early 20th-century diamond mining town near Namibia’s Atlantic Coast, now lies abandoned, its buildings swallowed by sand. By night, the tourists who flock to marvel at its surreal, sand-filled structures are long gone. Yet, the town isn’t entirely deserted. Among the shadowy ruins and sand-choked alleyways, a solitary brown hyena prowls—a creature so elusive it’s rarely seen, let alone photographed. This is where van den Heever’s journey began, fueled by a vision to capture this ghostly predator in its haunting habitat.
And this is the part most people miss: The brown hyena isn’t just rare; it’s the rarest hyena species on Earth, with an estimated population of only 4,370 to 10,110 individuals. Classified as ‘near threatened,’ these creatures are remarkably adaptable, turning Namibia’s abandoned mining towns into their own sanctuaries. But their elusive nature and nocturnal habits made van den Heever’s quest a test of patience, skill, and sheer determination.
For ten years, van den Heever returned to Kolmanskop annually, waking between 2:00 and 3:00 AM to set up his camera traps in the desolate town. The challenges were relentless. The Namib Desert’s harsh conditions—from sandstorms burying his equipment to thick fog obscuring visibility—often left his gear destroyed. And the hyenas? They remained frustratingly out of reach, their shy nature ensuring only fleeting glimpses from afar.
Choosing the perfect spot for his camera trap was an art in itself. Van den Heever meticulously imagined the hyena’s path through the ruins, calculating angles to frame both the animal and the decaying buildings in a single shot. ‘It’s about timing,’ he explains. ‘If I get the timing right, I can capture the hyena here, with the house there—it’s all about composition.’
Year after year, his traps yielded nothing but false starts—a few jackals facing the wrong way, but no brown hyena. Then, one fateful night, everything aligned. The camera triggered three times: once during a test, once with nothing, and finally—there it was. A brown hyena, perfectly framed against the ghostly backdrop of Kolmanskop. Van den Heever recalls being on the verge of tears when he first saw the image. ‘It was exactly what I’d envisioned from day one,’ he says. ‘All the effort, all those seasons—it was worth it.’
But here’s a thought-provoking question: Do we truly appreciate the role of scavengers like the brown hyena in our ecosystems? Marie Lemerle, who leads the Brown Hyena Research Project in nearby Lüderitz, argues that these animals are misunderstood. Often dismissed as ‘ugly, stinky nuisances,’ brown hyenas are, in fact, vital. They clean the desert of rotting carcasses, preventing disease and maintaining ecological balance. Yet, they face threats from roadkill, human conflict, and habitat disruption.
Lemerle highlights how these hyenas have repurposed abandoned mining towns, using the buildings for shelter and even as birthing dens. In one instance, a hyena gave birth in the basement of a dilapidated building, utilizing old pipes as a den. These settlements, while beneficial to the hyenas, are also reminders of the human impact on their habitat. New roads and developments pose significant risks, with roadkill being a leading cause of death.
Natalie Cooper, a zoologist at the Natural History Museum, believes van den Heever’s photograph can shift perceptions. ‘It reminds us that humans and wildlife share the same environment,’ she says. ‘We need to find ways to coexist.’ Photography, she adds, has the power to bridge gaps in our understanding of the natural world, especially as biodiversity declines due to human activity.
Reflecting on his decade-long pursuit, van den Heever laughs at himself. ‘Was it dedication or stupidity? I’m not sure,’ he jokes. His recent win at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition clearly leans toward the former. Yet, he’s not done. ‘There’s always more to capture,’ he says. ‘Maybe a hyena with a seal pup, or two hyenas together—photographers are never content.’
What do you think? Is van den Heever’s dedication inspiring, or does it cross the line into obsession? And how can we better appreciate the role of misunderstood creatures like the brown hyena? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a conversation!
