Striped Hyenas: Conservation and Ecological Importance

06 Sep 2026

Tags: Environment   Conservation   Protection frameworks

Source: The Hindu

Context: The Indian striped hyena is an important scavenger that helps maintain ecosystem health, but faces conservation challenges due to poor population data, negative cultural perceptions and fragmented conservation efforts.

Population and Distribution

• Global population is estimated at 5,000 to 14,000, with 1,000 to 3,000 in India, possibly among the largest national populations.
• India has no official striped hyena census, making these estimates important for research.

Conservation Challenges

• Unusual appearance, carrion based diet and nocturnal behaviour contribute to negative perceptions.
• Wildlife SOS notes that some cultural folklore associates hyenas with witches, hindering conservation.
• Despite highest legal protection under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, India lacks a unified conservation action plan.
• Existing efforts are fragmented. West Bengal conducts awareness campaigns through the Wildlife Information and Nature Guide Society, supported by a Wildlife Trust of India funded project.
• Tamil Nadu allocated 14 lakh rupees for striped hyena conservation under a broader programme for lesser known endangered wildlife.
• A National Action Plan could integrate State level financial and logistical resources for coordinated conservation across State boundaries.

Data Deficiency

• Limited population data leaves the species' distribution and population trends unclear.
• Without reliable distribution data, identifying safe habitats is difficult.
• Its shy and elusive behaviour makes population estimation challenging.
• India's successful nationwide snow leopard population estimation shows that monitoring elusive species at scale is possible.

Ecological Importance

• Striped hyenas consume carrion, helping maintain clean landscapes and water sources.
• Decaying carcasses can harbour pathogens, making hyenas important natural public health agents.
• Their disappearance could disrupt ecosystems and cause ecological destabilisation.

Way Forward

• Greater awareness of their ecological role can counter negative cultural perceptions.
• Conservation messaging should respect community sentiments while challenging superstition.
• Community engagement can help change perceptions and strengthen local conservation.
• Reliable population data and a coordinated national strategy are essential for long term conservation.