Altered behaviour in spotted hyenas associated with increased human activity

Abstract

To investigate how anthropogenic activity might affect large carnivores, we studied the behaviour of spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) during two time periods. From 1996 to 1998, we documented the ecological correlates of space utilization patterns exhibited by adult female hyenas defending a territory at the edge of a wildlife reserve in Kenya. Hyenas preferred areas near dense vegetation but appeared to avoid areas containing the greatest abundance of prey, perhaps because these were also the areas of most intensive livestock grazing. We then compared hyena behaviour observed in 1996-98 with that observed several years earlier and found many differences. Female hyenas in 1996-98 were found farther from dens, but closer to dense vegetation and to the edges of their territory, than in 1988-90. Recent females also had larger home ranges, travelled farther between consecutive sightings, and were more nocturnal than in 1988-90. Finally, hyenas occurred in smaller groups in 1996-98 than in 1988-90. We also found several changes in hyena demography between periods. We next attempted to explain differences observed between time periods by testing predictions of hypotheses invoking prey abundance, climate, interactions with lions, tourism and livestock grazing. Our data were consistent with the hypothesis that increased reliance on the reserve for livestock grazing was responsible for observed changes. That behavioural changes were not associated with decreased hyena population density suggests the behavioural plasticity typical of this species may protect it from extinction.

Coupled human and natural systems approach to wildlife research and conservation

“…A recent study indicates that tigers overlap spatially with humans (e.g., people on foot, vehicles) in Chitwan's forests, but http://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol19/iss3/art43/ have become significantly less active during the day, when human activity peaks, to avoid humans (Carter et al 2012b). Similar patterns have been noted elsewhere (Tigas et al 2002, Boydston et al 2003, for example, in Botswana, where African lions (Panthera leo) avoid temporal overlap with people when people are most active (Valeix et al 2012). …”

Heterogeneity in the density of spotted hyaenas in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, South Africa

“…Within ecosystems with large resident herbivore populations similar to HiP, hyaena distribution has been correlated with small scale variations in prey density even within relatively small clan territories (Boydston et al 2003b, Höner et al 2005, Kolowski and Holekamp 2009). Cromsigt (2006) indicated for the same annual period (August-October) as our survey, significant spatial heterogeneity in the densities of four of the main prey species of hyaena in HiP at an even smaller scale (2.5´2.5 km grid) than our survey.…”

Assessment of Livestock Loss Factors in the Western Serengeti, Tanzania

“…The findings of the present study is inconsistent with the idea that high depredation is always highest close to reserves www.intechopen.com boundaries (Mwangi, 1997). However, as Woodroffe (2000) puts it, behavioral plasticity of certain carnivore species facilitate their adaptive adjustment to an increasingly precarious lifestyle in proximity to human, a fact that was reported for spotted hyenas in the Maasai Mara ecosystem (Boydston et al, 2003). Thus, we cannot conclude that the spotted hyenas reported at the distant villages commuted from Serengeti or were resident to the village areas.…”