As twilight descends upon Harar, an ancient walled city, the silence is occasionally pierced by haunting howls. In the dim light, a group of five hungry hyenas encircle a young man who sits on the ground. Their ears twitch with anticipation, and their jaws reveal a menacing array of teeth. It's time to eat.

Despite the worldwide reputation of spotted hyenas as ferocious scavengers, the residents of this small Ethiopian city remain unafraid. The young man calmly offers a piece of meat from his basket, and instead of attacking, one hyena approaches him, taking the food gently from his hand, almost like a pet dog.

Abbas Yusuf, dubbed the Hyena Man, inherited the art of feeding wild hyenas from his father, Yusuf Mume Salleh. Initially used to divert them from livestock, this practice has evolved into a celebrated spectacle, drawing tourists who are fascinated by the bond between man and beast.

Photographer Brian Lehmann, who documented this phenomenon, was struck by the profound connection between Abbas and the hyenas. Unlike elsewhere, where hyenas inspire fear, here in Harar, children are not afraid at all.

Legend has it that centuries ago, hyenas posed a threat to the townspeople until they started feeding them through holes in the city walls, diverting their attention from attacking humans. The Harari claim there have been no hyena attacks for two centuries.

In addition to Abbas's offerings, the hyenas scavenge from the city's landfill. Every day, they await the arrival of the garbage truck, and at dusk, they respond to Abbas's call to come and feed, entertaining tourists.

Lehmann, though not a wildlife photographer, recognized the visual impact of being close to his subjects. Abbas's relationship with the hyenas allowed him access that would have otherwise been difficult to attain.

In one particularly memorable instance, a hyena led Abbas and Lehmann to its den, a moment that initially gave Lehmann pause but ultimately reinforced Abbas's unique bond with the animals.

This tradition, passed down through generations, challenges perceptions of hyenas as feared creatures, highlighting the beauty within their misunderstood nature. As Lehmann reflects, "There is no doubt they are ugly creatures. But there is beauty within."