Spotted Hyena Seen in Egypt After 5,000 Years, Then Killed by Locals
A spotted hyena was seen in Egypt for the first time in 5,000 years after it wandered far beyond its usual range. The hyena killed two goats in the Sahara Desert near the Sudan-Egypt border and was subsequently tracked and killed by locals using a pickup truck. Researchers believe increased rainfall and changes in the regional ecosystem may have drawn the hyena northward. The sighting highlights how environmental shifts and human crises, such as Sudan’s instability, can impact wildlife movements.
A spotted hyena was recorded in Egypt for the first time in 5,000 years after it strayed far beyond its typical range, ventured into the Sahara Desert, and killed two goats. It was then tracked and killed by locals using a pickup truck.
Key Details
– Historical Context: Spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) disappeared from Egypt around 5,000 years ago due to the Sahara Desert becoming too dry to support their prey.
– Current Sighting: The hyena was found in Wadi Yahmib, near the Sudan-Egypt border, far north of its usual habitat. Researchers suggest it may have been following prey animals benefiting from a recent wet spell in the region.
– Local Response: Livestock losses are financially devastating for communities in the area. Although locals coexist with smaller striped hyenas (Hyaena hyaena), spotted hyenas are more aggressive. After the hyena killed goats, locals tracked and killed it by deliberately striking it with a vehicle.
– Environmental Changes: Increased rainfall in recent years may have temporarily allowed the region to support prey animals, enticing the hyena. Other factors, such as Sudan’s political instability and civil war, might have contributed to the presence of hyenas.
– Behavior : While spotted hyenas are known to live in complex social groups, this individual was likely hunting alone.
This rare sighting underscores how environmental and social changes can influence wildlife movements, even reviving species in regions where they were long thought extinct.
Disclaimer
This information is based on a study published in the journal *Mammalia* and insights provided by wildlife ecologists. The events and environmental causes described are subject to ongoing research and interpretation.
source : live science