Spotted hyenas outcompeting leopards in Tanzanian park with human help, says study

Sub: Environment

Sec: Species in news

Context:

Danish researchers from the University of Copenhagen conducted a study in Tanzania’s Udzungwa Mountains, using camera traps to observe inter-species dynamics between spotted hyenas and leopards.

Key Findings of the study:

Spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta), living in social groups (clans or cackles), are outcompeting leopards, who are solitary animals.
Female leopards (approx. 20-43 kg.) are about half the size of male leopards (approx. 51-72 kg). Hyenas are in the middle in terms of weight (approx. 48-56 kg)
Hyenas engage in kleptoparasitism, stealing kills from other predators, including leopards.
Global leopard populations are declining, whereas hyena populations are increasing.

Human Influence:

Hyenas are tolerated by locals as they scavenge on dead or sick livestock and usually do not attack people.
Hyenas benefit from human presence, using humans as shields against leopards, and thrive in areas with human activity.
Male leopardsavoid human-dominated areas, while female leopards become diurnal to avoid nocturnal hyenas.
Leopards are unpopular among locals due to livestock hunting and human attacks, leading to their retreat from human-dominated areas.
Leopards retreat far from humans due to their unpopularity, which affects their access to food resources.
Ecological Impact:
- The increasing success of hyenas and the decline of leopards could disrupt the ecosystem balance.
- Without leopards to keep their populations in check, monkey species could spike,altering the entire ecosystem.

Spotted Hyenas:

Also known as the laughing hyena.
Native to sub-Saharan Africa.
It is the only placental mammalian species where females have a pseudo-penis and lack an external vaginal opening.
Highly successful animal, being the most common large carnivore in Africa.
It is listed as being of least concern by the IUCN.

Source: DTE