The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has raised alarms about the striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena), one of the world’s most overlooked carnivores. Although it was once widely distributed in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, its wild population is now estimated at less than 10,000 adult individuals, reflecting a silent and concerning decline.
At the CoP15 of the CMS, the WCS urged governments to grant the species dual protection under the Convention on Migratory Species, which would allow for stronger international coordination efforts. Currently, the striped hyena is listed as “Near Threatened” on the IUCN Red List, a category that can give a false sense of security.
Characteristics and Ecological Role
The striped hyena is the smallest of the hyena species, weighing around 35 kg. Unlike the spotted hyena, it leads a discreet life, generally solitary or in monogamous pairs. It is nocturnal and difficult to observe in its habitat.
- Diet: primarily carrion, although it can hunt.
- Ecological function: by consuming carcasses and organic waste, it prevents the spread of diseases and recycles nutrients.
- Mobility: it can travel more than 11 km daily and move up to 80 km, crossing national borders.
Main Threats
Striped hyenas face multiple pressures derived from human activity:
- Retaliatory killing: poisonings and hunting due to conflicts with livestock farmers.
- Habitat loss: agricultural expansion, infrastructure, and armed conflicts fragment ecosystems.
- Illegal hunting: parts of its body are used in traditional practices.
- Decline of natural prey: forces them to approach human settlements, intensifying conflict.
Critical examples are recorded in Tajikistan, where the species is classified as Critically Endangered, and in Nepal, where poisoned baits are the main cause of mortality.
Conservation Proposals
The WCS and governments like Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are pushing for its inclusion in the Appendices I and II of the CMS:
- Appendix I: strict protection, hunting prohibition, and restoration of critical habitats.
- Appendix II: international coordination for joint conservation strategies.
Additionally, community participation models are being promoted:
- In Khatlon (Tajikistan), organizations like NABU have integrated local communities into monitoring teams, protecting an estimated population of less than 30 individuals.
- Educational programs aim to dismantle cultural myths and promote tolerance towards the species.
- Food restoration strategies, such as planting Russian olives, help reduce dependence on human crops.
Connectivity and International Cooperation
Research in Nepal shows that national parks are not enough: populations outside protected areas disappear quickly. The concept of “functional connectivity” is proposed, allowing isolated groups to move and maintain genetic diversity through ecological corridors.
Inclusion in the CMS would strengthen legal protection and facilitate information exchange between countries, crucial for a species that frequently crosses borders.
The striped hyena, discreet and little studied, plays an essential role in the health of arid ecosystems. However, its resilience faces a critical limit. From the devastated olive groves in Lebanon to the fragmented habitats of Central Asia, the signs of collapse are evident. Without coordinated and immediate action, this overlooked predator could silently advance towards extinction.
