This den-site was first discovered in December 2022. Although we did obtain pictures of individuals around the den site, it was not actively used and therefore monitoring was stopped after a few weeks. After our flyer appeal, members from the local Hadzabe tribe informed us of an active den site they had seen prints around this den site again. We placed our camera traps which confirmed the use of the den by a mother and her cub as well as 2 additional individuals. In addition to monitoring den site, we also are investigating home ranges and habitat use by these hyenas. Camera trap footage from our most studied area, identified as ‘the corridor’ revealed that members of the Maleka clan have been recaptured in this study area. From this information we can determine this clan’s distribution and individuals ranges throughout.
Maleka Clan Members MALD #1 First seen at the den site on 18th December 22 was then recaptured 21st April 23 on one of our corridor cameras MALD-#2 MALD-#2 was the second hyena to visit the den on the 19th December 2022 and was recaptured just over a month later on our corridor camera traps on 28th January 2023 MALD-#3 & #6 (cub) First seen on the 18/05/2023 was the hyena most skittish of our camera traps. We also saw her carrying a young black cub MALD-#4 The first time seeing this individual was on the 18/05/2023 where they made a short visit to the den site MALD-#5 From the pictures we believe this female could be pregnant.
EXCLUSIVLY SEEN IN MALEKA DEN The rest of the individuals were all first seen on 18th May 2023, including a mother and cub
