Why the brown hyaena isn't laughing

Dr. Dawn Scott, Principal Lecturer in Ecology at the University of Brighton, is the lead scientist on the Earthwatch project South Africa's Brown Hyaenas. She explains how her fascination with the persecuted brown hyaena (Parahyaena brunnea) came into being.

I have always been fascinated by animals and their behaviour ever since I can remember. My first research project, after my biology degree, took me to the Syrian desert in Jordan where, over three years, I tried to survey the mammals surviving in this harsh environment for my PhD.

These were quite tough conditions for me as well, camping with an army tent on the Syrian and Saudi borders with little water and temperatures over 50°C in the shade. It was during this time in Jordan that I got to see my very first hyaena. We had spent months searching for carnivores at night, with very little success. But one night, far in the distance, through my binoculars I spotted the eye shine and distinctive outline of a striped hyaena (Hyaena hyaena). I was so excited I couldn't keep the binoculars still and I fell in love with hyaenas there and then.

Unfortunately, the few sightings of carnivores during my surveys also made me realise the devastating impact that human-wildlife conflict and persecution could have on wild carnivore populations. Predator control in the area had reduced the numbers of many of the animals we were searching for. In more than 18 months of surveying that was the only hyaena I saw.

Ten years later I got to see my first brown hyaena (Parahyaena brunnea). Again it was at night, but this time in Pilanesberg National Park in South Africa. Between 2002 and 2005 I had been working in South Africa with Richard and Lynne (the other two lead scientists) on a research project on mammal biodiversity, when we started to develop an interest in brown hyaenas in the region. Nobody knew how many hyaenas there were, how they were surviving, or whether the population was declining. There are estimated to be only 1,700 brown hyaenas left in South Africa, 5-8,000 globally. It had been reported that brown hyaenas were known to occur in the region, but there had been few previous studies on them, either inside reserves or outside in commercial landscapes. However, we did know they were subject to persecution and I suspected that this threat might be contributing to their decline.

Project Phiri (meaning hyaena in local language) was set up in 2005 to address some of these questions. Our aims were to attempt to estimate population size within key sites and also across the region; investigate their behaviour, ecology, diet and interactions with other animals; look at the potential genetic consequences if only small isolated populations were remaining, and most importantly, try to assess the threats and levels of persecution.

We have been developing effective population census techniques by evaluating spotlighting, counting signs, audio call-ins using prey sounds and bait, and baited camera trapping. We have been collecting samples for DNA analysis and we now have several animals fitted with GPS radio-collars so we can track their movements. We are collaborating with nearly 150 landowners, who are helping us to get a better understanding of the potential conflict issues that can lead to hyaena persecution.

Earthwatch volunteers have been collecting data for us on the many different aspects of the project, including counting carnivores that come into our call-ins at night, spotlighting, collecting DNA samples, searching diligently for latrines and identifying hyaenas caught on camera traps from their leg patterns. The project has been running for four years and with the invaluable help of Earthwatch volunteers we are now starting to build up a better understanding of the brown hyaena's conservation status in this region. At this point it is looking promising, but threats we hadn't previously envisaged have also come to our attention. So, it's good and bad news for the brown hyaena. What we do know is that much more work is needed and we are continually developing the project. As soon as we answer one question, another is raised.

I have been working in wildlife conservation research for 13 years. It has taken me all over the world, to many countries with many different animals. However, I am still captivated and enthralled every time I get the opportunity to encounter a wild carnivore, especially at night. This excitement is multiplied ten fold when you experience it with a volunteer research assistant who is seeing a hyaena for the first time. I desperately hope that opportunities for such encounters are still possible for many years to come.

Report by Dr. Dawn Scott.

Join the Earthwatch expedition South Africa's Brown Hyaenas.