DNA Test Reveals Wild Dog relatives in Africa Are Actually Hyenas

In a recent DNA study that was published in the journal "Nature Ecology and Evolution", scientists found that the wild dog populations in Africa are actually more closely related to hyenas than they are to domestic dogs. This came as a surprise to many, as the two animals look and behave quite differently.

The study used high-quality genomic data from 979 wild dogs and 1,023 hyenas from 38 countries. The analysis showed that the two species shared a common ancestor about 2 million years ago. Wild dogs are now considered a separate sister species of the Eurasian wolf, and the African golden wolf is now considered to be a separate species from both of them.

The study also found that African wild dogs are very genetically diverse, which is unusual for such a small population. This may be because they once ranged over much of Africa but have since been pushed into smaller and more isolated areas.

Hyenas are often thought of as scavengers, but they can also be very successful predators. They are well known for their distinctive laugh-like call, which is actually made by the female when she is in heat. Hyenas are also one of only a few mammalian species that exhibit Gender bending; meaning that the females act like males and control access to food and mates.

While it is still not entirely clear why the two species evolved to look and behave so differently, it is thought that this may be due to differences in ecological niches. Wild dogs mostly hunt small prey like antelope, while hyenas will take down larger prey like zebras and wildebeest.

Lion and Hyena Share Den at Cincinnati Zoo

Lion and hyena share den at Cincinnati Zoo It's not every day you see a lion and a hyena sharing a den at the zoo, but that's what happened recently at the Cincinnati Zoo. The two animals were so close, they were even seen licking each other's faces.

Zookeepers say the two animals seem to have formed a bond and are now sharing the same space in the den. They believe it is because the lion is young and has no siblings, so he is looking for companionship.

The hyena is said to be very tolerant of the lion and lets him do whatever he wants. The lion has even been seen resting his head on top of the hyena.

This unlikely friendship is providing a lot of entertainment for zoo visitors, who are snapping pictures of the unusual scene.

Photographer Captures Rare interaction of Lions and Hyenas

Award-winning wildlife photographer, Paul Goldstein, recently captured a rare interaction between two of the Big Five animals — lions and hyenas.

The sighting happened in Kenya's Masai Mara National Reserve where a group of six lions was seen chasing a single hyena. The hyena attempted to defend itself by running towards a jackal pack for help, but the lions quickly dispatched of the smaller animals. After dispatching of the jackals, they turned their attention back to the hyena, which ultimately met its fate.

According to Goldstein, this is only the second time he has ever witnessed lions hunting hyenas. The first time was also in Masai Mara, almost 20 years ago. He believes that the unusual interaction is due to the fact that there is an increasing lack of prey available for both species.

This isn't the first time that Goldstein has captured exceptional images of Africa's wildlife. Some of his most famous shots include a pride of lionesses stalking and capturing an unsuspecting zebra and a solitary leopard lounging in a tree.

Threatened hyenas thriving in protected areas

Threatened hyenas are thriving in protected areas due to the lack of human disturbance and access to food. A study conducted by the University of California, Berkeley found that hyenas living in protected areas were six times more likely to be alive than those living outside of protected areas.

The study, published in the journal Science Advances, used camera traps to monitor hyena populations in 60 protected and 60 unprotected areas across East Africa for four years. Results showed that there were 2.5 times as many hyenas living in protected areas as there were living outside of them.

The research team believes that the main drivers behind these findings are humans' increasing disturbance of natural ecosystems and access to food resources. They suggest that policies which create more protected areas and restrict human access to these areas could help to safeguard threatened carnivore species like the African wild dog and lion.

Hyenas have a bad reputation as cowardly scavengers, but they are actually very powerful predators that play a vital role in their ecosystems by regulating prey populations. In Africa, hyenas can be found in various habitats including deserts, grasslands, and forests.

There are nine species of hyena worldwide, eight of which occur in Africa. The spotted hyena is the most common species, followed by the striped hyena. The brown hyena is restricted to arid regions of southern Africa, and the aardwolf is found only in Africa's savannas. The slender-footed golden hyena occurs only in north-central Africa, and the two remaining species, the regal mountain hyena and the Egyptian wolf-hyena, are both rare and endangered.

Are hyenas laughing at us?

Hyenas have a well-deserved reputation for being sneaky, vicious, and ruthless predators. But are they also laughing at us?

For many years, scientists believed that hyenas produced a "laughter" sound to communicate with each other. However, recent research has shown that this laughter is actually a warning call that alerts other hyenas to potential danger.

So why do people refer to the laughter of hyenas as "laughter"? It turns out that the high-pitched call of the spotted hyena is very similar to the human laugh sound. This similarity may have led to its mistaken identification as laughter by early observers.

Despite their sinister reputations, hyenas are fascinating animals with unique adaptations and behavioural strategies. In fact, they are some of the most successful predators in Africa.

So next time you hear a "laughing" hyena, remember that it's really trying to tell you something!

Woman Mauled To Death By Pack Of Hyenas In Africa

A woman has been mauled to death by a pack of hyenas in Africa.

The woman, who has not been named, was reportedly on a trip to visit family when she was killed by the animals.

She is said to have been with her brother-in-law when the attack happened.

hunting and scavenging in packs, which can consist of up to 30 individuals. Hyenas are known for theirandin packs, which can consist of up to 30 individuals. [1]

They are also known for being very aggressive , and are known to attack humans and other animals.

In this case, it is believed that the pack of hyenas chased the woman and her brother-in-law before attacking and killing her.

Hyena cubs born at Columbus Zoo

The Columbus Zoo welcomed the birth of two hyena cubs on March 6.

The cubs' father, Mufasa, and mother, Sarabi, are both first-time parents. The new arrivals bring the zoo's hyena population up to six.

Hyenas are found in Africa and Arabia, where they live in open plains and deserts. They are members of the dog family and are known for their distinctive laughter-like vocalizations.

Hyenas are primarily scavengers, but they can also be predators. They often work together to take down larger prey animals.

Hyena cubs are born with their eyes closed and weigh about 2 pounds. They start to move around and explore their surroundings at about four weeks old. At six weeks old, they are able to eat meat and begin to learn how to hunt with their parents.

The Columbus Zoo plans to keep the new cubs off exhibit for a few months so that they can bond with their parents and learn essential survival skills.

Scientist studying social behaviors of hyenas in the wild

For the past few years, a scientist has been studying the social behaviors of hyenas in the wild. This scientist has observed that while hyenas do exhibit some social behaviors, they are also quite aggressive and territorial.

Hyenas are what are known as matriarchal animals, meaning that the females hold most of the power within the pack. Female hyenas are often much larger than the males, and they are the ones who make most of the decisions regarding where the pack will go and what they will eat.

Males within a pack typically only stay with the group for a couple of years before moving on to form their own pack. Females, on the other hand, typically stay with their family packs for their entire lives.

Interestingly, despite their matriarchal structure, hyenas are not particularly tolerant of other females who are not a part of their family pack. If another female tries to join their pack, they will often be driven away through displays of aggression.

In addition to being aggressive and territorial towards other females, hyenas are also known for being aggressive towards other animals in their environment. They have been known to kill zebras, antelopes, and even lions on occasion.

While hyenas may seem like frightening creatures, they actually play an important role in helping to maintain balance in their ecosystems. They keep prey populations in check, and they also help to spread seeds throughout their environment as they scavenge for food.

Cincinnati Zoo welcomes new hyena exhibit

The Cincinnati Zoo is excited to announce the opening of its new hyena exhibit. The exhibit features four hyenas: two males and two females.

"This exhibit is a dream come true for us," said zoo curator Jim Grosse. "We've been working on it for years, and we can't wait to see the looks on the visitors' faces when they see the hyenas up close."

The new exhibit will give visitors a chance to learn more about these fascinating animals. Hyenas are unusual creatures that have been unfairly maligned in popular culture. They are actually very intelligent and social animals that play a vital role in their ecosystems.

Visitors will be able to watch the hyenas interact with each other and with their human handlers. They will also have a chance to learn about the important work that zoos do in conserving endangered species.

The Cincinnati Zoo is one of only a few zoos in the United States that has hyenas on display. This new exhibit is sure to be a popular attraction, so be sure to visit soon!

Baby hyena rescued after being abandoned by its pack

A baby hyena was rescued on Sunday by rangers in Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park after being abandoned by its pack.

According to officials, the young hyena was found "shivering and weak" and had to be carried back to the park's headquarters.

The rescued animal will now be cared for at the park's rehabilitation center until it is able to return to the wild.

Hyenas Threaten to Take Over African Wildlife

The savanna of Africa is a beautiful and wild place, home to many different species of animals. However, one of the most feared predators in the area is quickly becoming the top predator – the hyena.

Hyenas have always been a part of African lore and legend, with their scavenging habits making them unpopular with people and other animals. But it is their hunting abilities that have made them so successful in recent years. They are able to take down prey much larger than themselves, including antelopes and zebras.

This has led to a decline in the populations of other animals in the area, as they are being hunted down by hyenas. This is especially concerning for ecologists, as it could lead to a situation where hyenas become the dominant predator in African wildlife. This could have serious implications for the future of the ecosystem as a whole.

There are efforts underway to try and combat this trend, including educational programs aimed at teaching children about the dangers of hyenas. But much more needs to be done if Africa is to keep its rich wildlife heritage intact.

Rare Spotted Hyena Born at Brookfield Zoo

A rare spotted hyena was born at Brookfield Zoo on January 17, 2018. This is the first time a spotted hyena has been born at the zoo in 17 years. The new cub is female and currently weighs nine pounds.

Spotted hyenas are native to Africa and can weigh up to 190 pounds. They are the largest member of the hyena family and are known for their distinctive laugh-like call. Spotted hyenas are omnivores and eat both meat and plant material.

The new cub is being hand-raised by zookeepers because her mother has not been taking care of her. Cubs that are not raised by their mothers have a lower survival rate in the wild, so it is important that she be given the best possible care. The cub will be weaned off of milk at around six months old and will then start to eat solid food.

Brookfield Zoo is part of the Chicago Zoological Society, which is also home to Lincoln Park Zoo and Garfield Park Conservatory.

Person freed from hyena attack in South Africa

Johannesburg, South Africa - A tourist visiting a game reserve in South Africa was saved from an attack by a pack of hyenas by the quick-thinking actions of her husband.

The couple were on a drive through the reserve when they came across a pack of hyenas surrounding their car. The hyenas began to circle the car and started to attack the vehicle, biting at the tyres and trying to get into the car.

The husband quickly got out of the car and ran towards the pack of hyenas, screaming and waving his arms around to scare them off. The hyenas quickly dispersed and ran away, leaving the woman unharmed.

This is not the first time that a person has been attacked by hyenas in South Africa. In June 2017, a 6-year-old girl was dragged from her mother's lap by a pack of hyenas and killed.

Wildlife Authorities Kill 18 Hyenas in Namibia

The killing of 18 hyenas in Namibia has stirred up mixed reactions among locals and wildlife conservationists. Wildlife authorities justified the killings by stating that the animals were raiding livestock farms and posed a threat to human life. However, some experts believe that the authorities could have employed other methods to manage the situation instead of resorting to outright slaughter.

Hyenas are often unfairly maligned and portrayed as being cowardly and bloodthirsty predators. In reality, they are very efficient scavengers that rarely attack large prey. Hyenas mostly rely on their powerful jaws and sharp teeth to take down prey items that are much larger than themselves. They also play an important role in keepings ecosystems healthy by breaking down carcasses and disposing of waste.

Despite their relatively harmless nature, hyenas are often killed due to fears and misconceptions about them. In many parts of Africa, they are viewed as pests and a danger to humans and their livestock. As a result, they are often persecuted and killed indiscriminately. This is a great loss for African ecosystems, as hyenas are essential predators that help keep populations of feral dogs and other predators in check.

Hyena Research Sheds New Light on Carnivore Behavior

The study of hyena behavior has long been a source of fascination for biologists and zoologists. New research has shed light on the hitherto little known social dynamics of spotted hyenas, revealing some surprising insights into the behavior of these carnivores.

Spotted hyenas live in hierarchical societies with a complex social structure. Females are the dominant sex and hold most of the power within the clan. Males are subordinate to females and perform many tasks such as defending the territory, obtaining food, and caring for young.

Clan membership is determined by which female cubs are born first and accepted into the clan by their mothers. Cubs that are not accepted by their mothers are driven out of the group and become solitary predators. This social system is thought to have evolved in order to increase the chances of survival for offspring.

Interestingly, spotted hyenas are one of only two species of animals (the other being lions) in which both males and females exhibit characteristics typically associated with the opposite sex. Females have a huge clitoris that resembles a penis, and they grow thick manes of hair around their necks. Males have relatively small clitorises and lack manes.

It was previously believed that these masculine features developed as a result of sexual selection; that is, males with more masculine features were better able to compete for mates. However, new research indicates that they may instead be adaptations to help females dominate males in the social hierarchy.

The study found that when competing for food or dominance, males were more likely to back down when faced with a female who had male characteristics than when confronted with a female who did not have them. This suggests that these traits give females an advantage in negotiations with males.

The results of this study overturn long-held beliefs about the role of gender in spotted hyena society. They provide valuable insight into the unique social dynamics of this unusual species and offer new insight into the evolution of animal behavior.