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.