Scavengers aren’t the most charismatic of animals, but they perform a vital task: by eating carrion, they remove dead animals from our environments. Yet large-bodied scavengers are declining worldwide, increasing the risk of the spread of diseases, according to a recent study. Researchers found that 1,376 animal species have been recorded in the scientific literature […]
Tag: hyenas
Uganda’s lions in decline, hyenas thriving – new findings from country’s biggest ever carnivore count
For nearly 15 years almost no information was available on the population status of Uganda‘s large carnivores, including those in its largest national park, Murchison Falls. These species represent a critical part of Uganda’s growing tourism economy. The country is home to the famed tree-climbing lions, which are much sought after for this unique behaviour. […]
The state of lions, leopards and hyenas in Uganda
The first comprehensive population estimate of Uganda‘s lions, leopards and spotted hyenas in almost two decades has revealed that lion numbers in the country are extremely low. Leopards (Panthera pardus) are holding on across the country, and hyenas are faring well. In a collaboration involving more than 100 conservation stakeholders, researchers used spatial capture-recapture methods […]
The world’s weirdest penises – including a detachable one that swims off after a mate
When it comes to the animal kingdom, nature’s creativity knows no bounds – especially when it comes to reproduction. Across different animal species, penises take on strange and unexpected forms, each adapted for a specific ecological niche or evolutionary advantage. From detachable appendages and corkscrew shapes to multi-functional tools, the diversity in animal penises is […]
The hyenas of Harar: how a city fell in love with its bone-crunching carnivores
The hyenas gather as night settles. The bolder animals come early and lounge around, undisturbed by the loud blare of mosques calling people to prayer. By the time Abbas Yusuf arrives, dozens lurk in the semi-darkness, pacing over shards of splintered bone and broken glass. Abbas whistles and calls, tossing out a few chunks of […]