Spotted Hyena den site

Limpopo-Lipadi’s Research manager Botilo has the best job in the world: doing research on animal behaviour for the benefit of our conservation efforts. One of his projects is to get a more accurate number on the spotted hyena around the Reserve. As spotted hyena are apex predators and we see pressure on – for instance – the amount of impala, it is vital to know how many hyena we have. To get a better understanding of numbers and behaviour, Botilo has mounted many camera traps around the Reserve and checks them on a regular basis. Here is Botilo’s story: “The spotted hyena population in Limpopo-Lipadi is currently not known accurately. Our 2022 camera trap surveys confirmed that we have at least 14 known individuals. Since spotted hyenas are known for using communal den sites, where clan members often congregate, we set up camera traps whenever we identify active den sites. Not just for spotted hyenas, but for all other large predators like wild dogs and brown hyenas. These camera traps show how many individuals visit a particular den site. Eventually we will be able to estimate the entire population from clan sizes as identified on camera traps at den sites. Our first den site has since shown that at least 3 other adults besides the nursing mother and her 3 cubs visit the same den sites occasionally. Since the 2022 camera trap study we have identified a second active spotted hyena den site and set up a camera trap on it. In a few weeks we should have some conclusive data on how many clan members actually visit that den site as well. Finding this den sites is not easy, as they are always deep in the bush. Our APU rangers often stumble upon all kinds of den sites during their daily patrols and notify me to set up camera traps.” If you would like to be a part of our conservation efforts, do call on us (https://limpopo-lipadi.org/donate/). For discreet information on share sales, contact generalmanager@limpopo-lipadi.org. To book a safari, request our rates via reservations@limpopo-lipadi.org or via WhatsApp: (+267) 76770191.