Peri-urban spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) in Northern Ethiopia: diet, economic impact, and abundance

Abstract

Global declines of carnivores are related to difficult integration with human land use, in particular conflicts caused by livestock depredation. Spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) live in remarkably close proximity to humans in the degraded and prey-depleted Enderta district, northern Ethiopia. Their diet and interaction with people were investigated in sub-districts close to the regional capital, Mekelle. We interviewed 1,686 randomly selected households from three sub-districts, Debri, Aynalem, and Felege Selam, about livestock management and incidence of depredation from 2005 to 2009. Livestock loss amounted to 492 heads over 5 years; an annual mean of 0.6% worth US$ 7,042. We also performed a survey giving a minimum population estimate of 60 hyenas in the three sub-districts; all but four were found in church forests where they are traditionally tolerated and protected. A total of 1,200 hyena scats were analyzed to determine prey species; the diet contained only domestic species, with sheep being by far the most common prey species. About 5.5% of fecal analysis contained human hairs. We conclude that hyenas depended entirely on domestic prey species, partly through depredation but more importantly through scavenging on (peri-) urban waste. Under the particular local circumstances, continued coexistence appears possible, provided that damage remains tolerable.

Response of the red fox to expansion of human habitation in the Trans-Himalayan mountains

“…Garbage dumps and other human wastes attract and serve as food sources for several carnivores such as spotted hyena Crocuta (Abay et al 2011), dingo Canis lupus dingo (Newsome et al 2013), coyote Canis latrans (Ditchkoff et al 2006), red fox Vulpes (Gloor et al 2001) and golden jackal Canis aureus (Macdonald 1979) and for the even larger ones such as black bear Ursus americanus (Rogers et al 1976), grizzly bear Ursus arctos (Blanchard 1987), and polar bear Ursus maritimus (Stempniewicz 2006;Dyck and Romberg 2007).…”

Livestock loss by the spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) in and around a waste dumping site in Northern Ethiopia

“…However, the problem is worse in other countries of Africa than Ethiopia where depredation of livestock by spotted hyenas is tolerable and is relatively low (Abay et al, 2011;Yirga et al, 2013). Livestock depredation is remarkably higher in other parts of Africa (Holmern et al, 2007;Kissui, 2008), however, even small livestock depredation in the study area could be considerable since food insecurity and poverty is severe in the area.…”

“…The nocturnal and opportunistic foraging behavior makes spotted hyena adaptable to anthropogenic environments (Mills and Hofer, 1998). In Ethiopia spotted hyena depend largely on anthropogenic food (Gade, 2006;Abay et al, 2011;Yirga et al, 2012) due to the depletion of the natural prey base. Spotted hyenas are reported to be found near open refuse pit during times of food scarcity which might lead to increased livestock depredation in the nearby villages (Kolowski and Holekamp, 2006).…”

Facial injuries following hyena attack in rural eastern Ethiopia

“…8 However, this symbiotic relationship is tenuous; hyenas are skilled, unscrupulous, and opportunistic predators who will view humans as potential prey in the face of scarcity. 1,10 Brief reports of hyenas attacking humans in eastern and southern African countries over the last two centuries can be found. 1,8,10,16 Lacking in the literature to date is a detailed account of how hyenas attack humans, the patterns of injuries sustained, and the reconstructive methods available to a surgeon faced with these injuries.…”

“…1 Hyenas have adapted to survive in a range of habitats including deserts, woodlands, and mountainous areas, but tend to congregate in greatest abundance near game reserves and areas of human settlement. 8 The two other extant species of the hyena family are the brown hyena (Hyaena brunnea), which is found in South Africa, and the striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena), which is found in northern Africa and parts of Asia.…”