The Hyena & Other Men uses a direct and striking portraiture style to explore the relationships between humans and performing hyenas in Nigeria. Pieter Hugo focuses on the nuanced expressions and postures of the men, capturing the complex dynamics of this unique cultural practice with unflinching clarity.

The photographs reveal a blend of tradition, survival, and spectacle embedded in the lives of those who train and work with hyenas, drawing attention to themes of coexistence and human-animal interaction. The work avoids romanticizing or exoticizing, instead presenting a candid and often unsettling view of these encounters.

Published in 2008 by Prestel, the 80-page volume offers a concise yet powerful visual investigation of its subject matter.