Striped hyena: A misunderstood scavenger

What do you imagine when someone asks you about carnivorous mammals? Let’s think of a few names. Which animals come to mind? Probably lions, tigers or wolves but not this one. Most likely, none of you would first think of the hyena.

Striped hyena, a widely misunderstood scavenger, provides vital ecosystem services by removing the carcasses and as a predator. Despite this, they are yet to get conservation attention, and the species population is said to be declining rapidly worldwide and still unknown in Nepal, highlighting the need for urgent conservation intervention.  

The Hyaenidae family, which is one of the smallest groups of mammalian carnivores, currently includes just four species in the world: the striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena), the aardwolf (Proteles cristata), the brown hyena (Hyaena brunnea) and the spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta). The only Hyaenidae species found in Nepal is Striped hyena, locally called ‘Patey Huddar’, ‘Hausey Bagh’, and ‘Bhedey Bagh’. The Striped hyena is categorized as ‘Near Threatened’ in the IUCN Red List of threatened species while in Nepal, the species is considered endangered.

The Striped hyena is a middle-sized predator with pointed ears, pale brown skin and males are slightly larger than the females. They have a black-colored tail with white underfur and are slightly longer and bushy. Primarily, it is a nocturnal scavenger feeding on ungulate carcasses, bones, ligaments, and cartilages but can switch between scavenging and predating as per need so they are termed as ‘opportunistic predator’. It supplements its diet with fruits, insects, and occasionally by killing small animals like hare, rodents, reptiles, and birds.

Globally, the Striped hyena is found across a broad range from Africa to Central Tanzania, the Arabian Peninsula, Turkey, Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent, reaching as far as Nepal. They predominantly inhabit arid and semi-arid areas with open landscapes or sparse thorn bushes, typically avoiding higher altitudes, though they have been recorded at elevations up to 3,300 meters in Pakistan. In 1998, the global population of Striped hyena was estimated to be 14,000 individuals. However, by 2007 their numbers had declined to fewer than 10,000 worldwide.

Striped hyena are expanded throughout Nepal’s lowlands, from central to western terai, as well as western hilly region, at elevation ranging from 100 meters to 1,750 meters, both within and outside the protected areas. There are claims of the presence of Striped hyena at an altitude of 2,514 meters which needs further verification, as the report was made just on the basis of a sign survey. In Nepal, population density has not been explored properly yet the experts guess the population to be nearly 100 individuals. After the guess was made in 2011 during the national red list assessment of Nepal, there are reports of the species from other parts of Nepal. Furthermore, there have been several reports of Striped hyena sightings, dens, and human-hyaena contacts in Nepal. All might indicate that their population could be slightly higher suggesting a gap and opportunity in the study of this species. 

Although the Striped hyaena is typically considered solitary, it does have some social groups. Its vocal communication is limited to mild growls and sounds during interactions. The Striped hyena is not a favored prey species of any predator. They keep a safe distance, usually around 50 meters, from larger, carnivorous mammals like lions and tigers. They also have the ability to chase or keep leopards and cheetahs away from food sources. Striped hyena lives in den and dens are often used merely for short periods of time, and therefore rarely need to be secured. They have a life span of 10-12 years in the wild with no apparent seasonal pattern of reproduction, their gestation period is 90–91 days usually springing 1-6 cubs born per litter.

Striped hyena plays a vital role to maintain forest and grassland ecosystems as an opportunistic predator, as a scavenger by clearing carcasses and by ingestion of plants and flowers which helps in remodeling of vegetation directly or indirectly.

Habitat degradation is a major issue, as forests are cleared for agriculture and development, leaving hyaenas with fewer places to live and hunt. Poaching and illegal trade of Striped hyenas for their skins and body parts, used in traditional medicine, is another significant threat worldwide. They are also often kept in cages for display purposes. Another threat is roadkill, the growing network of roads in developing countries and also in Nepal, poses a danger, as many hyenas are killed by vehicles while crossing the roads in search of food or territory. 

Humans are consistently indicated as the major source of mortality throughout the evaluated range, largely because the hyaena is hated as a grave robber, is associated with several cultures and also superstitions belief, and because of incidents of damage to agriculture and livestock. Their decline is also influenced by shifts in agricultural practices and a decrease in available carcasses due to fewer large carnivores and prey species and competition with other species. These threats highlight the need for conservation efforts to protect this misunderstood species yet vital part of our ecosystem.

Establishing wildlife corridors to connect fragmented habitats, and implementing sustainable land-use practices to minimize further habitat loss are important. Anti-poaching laws and their enforcement is essential and new technology/intervention can be installed in the forest areas or at least in the protected areas such as camera traps, conservation boards, stickers and involving community members as a citizen scientist to monitor the species. To conserve the Striped hyena, we need to think about a comprehensive approach that includes protecting and restoring their habitats, engaging local communities and working closely with various stakeholders. Prioritizing academic and non-academic research work should be enhanced by government and conservation organizations, likewise collaborating with local NGOs and INGOs can bring additional expertise and support to the desired conservation efforts. Last but not the least, the fourth organ of the nation, the media can play a multifaceted and influential role by prioritizing and highlighting content about such species for the conservation of biodiversity.

The haunting calls of the Striped hyaena are slowly fading, as Tarai forests are being fragmented and human settlements are expanding, pressing the question to each one of us: will future generations ever hear them?