The President and the Hyena
You’ve heard of presidential dogs and cats. Maybe even a parrot. But a hyena?
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Which U.S. President kept one of these as a pet? Image source: Pexels
Theodore Roosevelt—soldier, statesman, and nature lover—had a true menagerie of animals at the White House. But perhaps the most unusual was a pet hyena named Bill.
The spotted hyena wasn’t from a zoo or rescue. It was a gift from Emperor Menelik II of Ethiopia, sent during Roosevelt’s presidency. And unlike many exotic pets, Bill wasn’t just for show. Roosevelt reportedly grew fond of him, keeping him alongside other animals like snakes, badgers, and even a one-legged rooster.
It might sound strange today, but Roosevelt’s wild collection reflected his deep fascination with the natural world, something he carried into his work conserving America’s national parks and wildlife.
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