Spotted Hyena, Crocuta crocuta (Carnivora: Hyaenidae): an unwelcome visitor to Egypt!

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Zoology Departments, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University (Assiut Branch), 71524 Assiut, Egypt

2 Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt.

3 Egyptian Wild Explorers, Building 1 Road 256, Maadi, Cairo, Egypt.

Abstract

The spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) ranges throughout the African continent, south of the Sahara. After it was observed in Jabal Elba National Park, southeast of Egypt, an adult male spotted hyena was chased and intentionally killed by local shepherds. As far as we know, this paper is the first record of this species from Egypt. The animal was first observed in Wadi Eis, close to the Sudanese border, on March 16th, 2024. It was observed afterwards in Al-Dayeb region, where it killed the lambs of local residents. The tracks of the hyena were also recorded in the Kami Dabbab area on March 23rd, 2024. The animal was finally killed in Wadi Yahameib on March 24th, 2024. The present paper describes the movement route inside the protectorate and the localities and habitats visited by the animal. It also reviews the conservation status of this species as well as its adaptation strategy to changes in environmental temperature and habitat conditions. We recommend that efforts be made by wildlife conservation authorities to raise awareness about the importance of this species and other carnivorous species among the local community to stop killing such animals. 

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