From Shana’s desk
Every species has worth and importance in the global ecosystem and, whether we like it or not, this includes unpopular and unwanted species. This belief became engrained in my mind following multiple extraordinary experiences from an early age. Some of my favourite memories were the trips we would take to the Kruger National Park in South Africa. Those experiences made me who I am today and shaped the development of Endangered Wildlife OÜ.
One of the defining moments was a close encounter with a spotted hyaena. I saw beyond the fabled ugliness and smell, and instead saw an intriguing and elegant animal that is neither canine nor feline – it is part of a family of its own, Hyaenidae. Thereafter, it was never an elephant, rhino, leopard, lion or cheetah that I wanted to see – it was always the spotted hyaena and a visit to the Park without a spotted hyaena sighting was incomplete.
Victim of Folklore
The spotted hyena has been victim of generations of popularism and folklore. Dating back even as far as ancient Greece, the hyaena has been burdened with negative connotations. This has extended through to modern times with the Disney’s Lion King, where the hyaena is made out to be a villainous fool. What these perceptions overlook is the truth that the spotted hyaena is an intelligent, underrated and advanced species.
Now, as research slowly exposes the truth, fascinating facts about the spotted hyaena have begun to emerge and the ecological importance of the hyaena is being uncovered. For, while it is perceived that these animals are primarily scavengers, research shows that hyaenas in fact kill 50% to 70% of their food! And, even as scavengers, they play a critically important role in cleaning the ecosystem and reducing the spread of disease as they can consume almost their entire prey (with the exception of the hair, horns and hooves, which are not fully digested). Spotted hyaenas also present a unique and advanced matriarchal social structure, living in large clans of up to 90 that more closely represents those of primates than of other carnivores.
But the negative human perception has increased their survival risk. They face ongoing threats from farmers over livestock hunting, poachers who snare around 400 adults a year, and the loss of habitat due to human encroachment. As a result, spotted hyaenas have become locally extinct and, while they are still classified as of least concern by the IUCN, their numbers are declining outside of protected areas.
Awareness is the way forward
Unfortunately, the spotted hyaena supporters are far fewer than their lion counterparts. Hyaenas are an animal that should be respected, not feared, and, like the brown hyaena, striped hyaena and aardwolf, should receive the same level of care and protection as other, more socially accepted species.
But we have not yet passed a point of no return and a balance can once again be restored in the favour of humanity. More than 20 years on, it was found that the reintroduction of wolves reduced coyotes, controlled the deer populations, allowed for increased vegetation and reduced erosion, and even resulted in the redirection of the rivers. All these changes, through the reintroduction of a natural predator, has dramatically changed the ecosystem for the positive and back into a state of balance.
There needs to be increased education and awareness raising about the spotted hyaena, and so many other species. This will help society to understand the vital role that they play within the ecosystem. If monetising biodiversity is what it takes to open society’s eyes to the fragility of the ecosystem and the crucial role that each species plays, then Endangered Wildlife OÜ is a pioneer in the way forward.
In the words of a famous Zulu chieftain: “many are those who call you a coward, but you are a friend of warriors, you are a purifier of battlefields, you are a purifier of feasting grounds where both the tooth and the spear have eaten their fill. Bayete, animal of ancient times, hail hyaena.”