Ecological determinants of spotted hyena Crocuta crocuta occupancy in Comoé National Park, Côte d’Ivoire

Spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) in Comoé National Park, Côte d’Ivoire, show strong nocturnal activity patterns with minimal spatial competition with leopards (Panthera pardus), despite sharing nearly half of their activity periods. Research using camera trapping revealed that hyena occupancy was significantly influenced only by proximity to water points, while the presence of leopards did not affect their distribution. Habitat selection analysis indicated a preference for shrub savannah, and temporal overlap with leopards was high (OIJ(time) = 0.78), suggesting potential coexistence. However, anthropogenic pressures on prey populations may limit predator growth, highlighting the need to address these threats before considering lion reintroduction efforts.

Aglissi, J., Sogbohossou, E. A., Soro, F., Ouattara, S., Sinsin, B., & Bauer, H. (2024). Ecological determinants of spotted hyena Crocuta crocuta occupancy in Comoé National Park, Côte d’Ivoire. European Journal of Wildlife Research, 70(2). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-024-01768-5