Its not the lion or the cheetah, but the hyena that is the real monarch of the Masai Mara - the winner in the competition for prey and territory and the fight for survival. Michigan State University biologist Kay Holekamp and her team have studied the behaviour of hyena clans and show that their matriarchal society is highly organized using sophisticated vocalizations for communication. Hyenas are effective solo hunters but deadly in a coordinated attack.