Striped Hyena hunting in Tanzania

Striped Hyenas are the least well-known hyena on the continent. This tall dog-like animal is tall and slender with a long thick neck. They have striped legs and bodies with a very distinct crest that runs from their crown to their tail. As is the case with all hyenas they have large muscular heads and teeth giving them the ability to break and digest large dry bones. Striped Hyenas, once occurred from Britain to China but their distribution is now mainly limited to the Middle East as far as India and North Africa as far south as Tanzania where they can be hunted in the more semi-arid region of Masailand. Striped Hyena’s behaviour is affected by the presence of the more dominant Spotted Hyenas. Where the two species coexist, the Striped Hyena is much quieter avoiding conflict with Spotted Hyenas. Being solitary animals, they are unable to compete with a Spotted Hyena clan. They forage alone over large distances. Striped Hyena numbers are declining and this species is classified as near threatened by the IUCN. A prearranged hunting license must be purchased before the hunt commences.