A spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) has been discovered in south-eastern Egypt, marking the first recorded sighting in the region in 5,000 years. The lone animal was killed near Wadi Yahmib, approximately 30 kilometres from the Sudanese border, after it attacked two goats, as reported by Phys.org, citing a study published in the journal Mammalia.
“My first reaction was disbelief until I checked the photos and videos of the remains,” said Dr Abdullah Nagy, lead author of the study from Al-Azhar University. “Seeing the evidence, I was completely taken aback. It was beyond anything we had expected to find in Egypt.”
Spotted hyena found in Egypt for the first time in 5,000 years: https://t.co/fsIUf27v8R
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The hyena’s appearance, 500 kilometres north of its known range in Sudan, is thought to be linked to climate-related changes. Researchers attribute its presence to the Active Red Sea Trough, a natural weather cycle that may have increased rainfall and vegetation, creating a temporary migration corridor. Satellite data from 1984 to 2022 revealed enhanced plant growth in the past five years, likely supporting prey populations.
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“The fact that the corridor area has become less environmentally harsh may explain how the hyena reached this far north,” explained Nagy. “However, the motivation for its extensive journey into Egypt is still a mystery.”
Spotted hyena found in Egypt for the first time in 5,000 years https://t.co/yZ1n0M0up2 pic.twitter.com/nnDSZjbQbL
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Spotted hyenas are typically found in sub-Saharan Africa, known for their pack hunting skills and ability to travel up to 27 kilometres daily. This extraordinary sighting rewrites the history of wildlife in Egypt, where spotted hyenas were last known to roam 5,000 years ago.
The authors note that unlike the Horn of Africa, “There is no cultural history of local people in south-eastern Egypt existing with spotted hyenas and any livestock depredation can be financially devastating to local people.”
If spotted hyenas were to become established in the region, they could assume the role of apex predators in south-eastern Egypt, given the rarity or absence of other large predators, the study concluded.
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