High striped hyena density suggests coexistence with humans in an agricultural landscape, Rajasthan

Abstract

Understanding the mechanism of coexistence, where carnivores adapt to humans and vice versa in the shared landscape, is a key determinant of long-term carnivore conservation but is yet to be comprehensively examined. We explored the coexistence mechanism of striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena) and humans in the shared landscape of Sawai Mansingh Wildlife Sanctuary (SMS WLS), Rajasthan, from November 2019 to March 2021. We used data derived from motion sensors-based surveys, satellite remote sensing images, and household questionnaires to understand socio-ecological, environmental and anthropogenic factors facilitating hyena persistence in the shared landscape. The high density (12 individuals/100 km2) striped hyena in the landscape revealed the coexistence with humans. Being scavengers, they get subsidised food sources and are perceived as low-risk species by humans. Striped hyena minimised temporal activity during the daytime when human activity peaked. However, the highest activity overlap was observed in the agricultural area (Δ1 = 0.39), and likely depicts the high activity due to agricultural practices. While the human settlement was positively associated with the detection of hyenas, the probability of striped hyena captures increased with decreasing distance from human settlement, possibly influenced by high carcass availability, providing the easiest food resources to striped hyena, and allowing them to coexist with humans. This study demonstrates the coexistence of hyenas and humans in the shared landscape supported by mutual benefits, where hyenas benefit from anthropogenic food from scavenging, while humans benefit from waste removal and the non-lethal nature hyenas.

Spatial modeling of road collisions of striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena) in Israel

“…The fact that humans consider striped hyenas non-lethal and valuable in waste removal allows for coexistence between the two populations to the point where they may even be considered human commensals (Panda et al, 2022). This has resulted in greater concentrations of striped hyenas in and around human habitations, increasing vehicular-wildlife accidents.…”

“…Striped hyenas, considered scavengers, have adapted to human-dominated environments due to more accessible food sources (Yom-Tov, 2003;Yom-Tov et al, 2020). Households generate much organic waste attracting the striped hyenas and making them human-adapted commensals (Monchot & Mashkour, 2010;Panda et al, 2022). This behavioral change and adaptation to the development of urban infrastructure and fragmentation of the landscape (Dean et al, 2019) result in conflict situations, which in the case of striped hyenas are reflected in their relatively high mortality, especially on roads when compared to other mammals (Lala et al, 2021;Tourani et al, 2012).…”

Review of the global research on Hyaenidae and implications for conservation and management

“…Ecology and diet and human impacts, conflicts and benefits were other major foci within striped hyaena literature, likely due to increasing interactions or shared spaces between people and striped hyaena (Panda et al. 2022). Striped hyaena are attracted to scavenging from available anthropogenic food sources in human‐dominated areas (AbiSaid & Dloniak 2015).…”

Competitive co-existence within a rich large carnivore guild

“…As a result, brown hyena and spotted hyena might more easily share the landscape with humans than apex predators such as leopard. Research by Belton, Cameron & Dalerum (2016) and Panda et al (2022) support this claim as both studies highlight that space use for spotted hyena and striped hyena respectively was positively influenced by human infrastructure and associated activities.…”

“…For facultative scavengers, humans can provide new foraging opportunities in different forms such as domestic waste and livestock carcasses (Abi-Said & Abi-Said, 2007;Singh, Gopalaswamy & Karanth, 2010;Panda et al, 2022). As a result, brown hyena and spotted hyena might more easily share the landscape with humans than apex predators such as leopard.…”