Natural Forest Clearings Enable the Persistence of Stable Spotted Hyena Populations in Congo Basin Rainforests

Research reveals that spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) can sustain stable populations within Congo Basin rainforests, challenging the long-held assumption that they are primarily transient through such ecosystems. A study conducted over five years in Odzala-Kokoua National Park (OKNP), Republic of Congo, used camera trap imagery, GPS telemetry data from hyenas, and remote sensing to analyze their presence across 10 natural forest clearings known as bais. The findings indicate that hyena persistence is linked to the availability of large prey and open-canopy areas surrounding these clearings, suggesting remarkable behavioral adaptability in this species. This discovery prompts a reevaluation of spotted hyena distribution maps, potentially extending their recognized range to include forested regions beyond OKNP.

Bradford, E. M., Hockridge, E. G., Gibbon, G. E. M., Kibongui, G., Mouamana, A., Ngama, G., Osner, N., & Davies, A. B. (2025). Natural Forest Clearings Enable the Persistence of Stable Spotted Hyena Populations in Congo Basin Rainforests. Biotropica, 57(5). Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/btp.70065