Striped hyenas help keep India clean, but remain misunderstood

Thanks to its unusual appearance, preference for decaying meat, and nocturnal activities, the Indian striped hyena is a tragically misunderstood animal. Estimates suggest there are around 5,000 to 14,000 striped hyenas worldwide of which some 1,000 to 3,000 are in India — possibly one of the largest groups in any country. These estimates are a benchmark for research since data on striped hyenas is otherwise scarce. India itself lacks an official census for the animal.

According to the non-profit Wildlife SOS, hyenas are the mounts of witches in the folklore of certain cultures, and these beliefs hamper efforts to conserve the striped hyena.

Despite India’s hyenas enjoying the highest level of legal protection under the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, there is no proper unified action plan to conserve them. There are only a few fragmented regional initiatives. In West Bengal, for instance, the Wildlife Information and Nature Guide Society has been running awareness drives to dispel negative beliefs under a Wildlife Trust of India-funded project. The Tamil Nadu government has allocated Rs 14 lakh to conserve striped hyenas as part of a larger package to protect less-known endangered wildlife. A National Action Plan that can unite the financial and logistical capacities of such State-level programmes can help protect the animals across borders more efficiently.

However, inadequate data on the population of striped hyenas is a major roadblock. Sans a proper population estimate, its geographic distribution will remain unclear, and without which detail it is impossible to establish safe havens. The striped hyena’s shy, elusive nature also makes mapping its population an arduous challenge, although a sliver of hope remains in India’s proven ability to estimate the nationwide population of the snow leopard, which shares these traits with the striped scavenger.

Increasing awareness of the ecological value of striped hyenas will help mitigate the cultural beliefs keeping striped hyenas at the brink. For one, it is unreasonable they are disparaged for feeding on carrion when just that activity ensures clean landscapes and water sources. Given decaying meat is a hotbed of pathogens, their role as natural public health agents is crucial. If these scavengers disappear, ecosystems will destabilise.

Reframing cultural narratives in superstitious communities without hurting people’s sentiments is not easy but community engagement with activities like street plays can help spread change. India needs striped hyenas far more than it realises.

Prarthana Sen is an independent researcher and writer.