Abstract
The feeding ecology of the spotted hyena Crocuta crocuta was studied in the central and eastern part of the Etosha National Park, Namibia. Hyenas mainly hunted migratory ungulates such as springbok Antidorcas marsupialis, zebra Equus burchelli, and blue wildebeest Connochaetes taurinus, but also resident species such as the greater kudu Tragelaphus strepsiceros and gemsbok Oryx gazella. There were, however, major differences in the species most frequently killed by hyenas in central and eastern Etosha. The preferred prey species of spotted hyenas in central Etosha was springbok, whereas regarding the abundance of zebra and wildebeest, these two species were rather avoided. In contrast, the prey species preferred by hyenas in eastern Etosha was kudu. Zebra and gemsbok were taken in proportion to their abundance, whereas wildebeest and springbok seemed to be rather avoided. Differences in prey selection and preferences were also reflected in differences in hunting group sizes. In eastern Etosha, where spotted hyenas frequently hunted larger prey, hunting group sizes were significantly larger compared to those in the center of the park.
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Acknowledgments
I am grateful to the Namibian Ministry of Environment and Tourism for permission to conduct the study. The Austrian Academy of Science, the Vienna Zoo, the Namibian Nature Foundation and the University of Graz are thanked for financial support. M. Augumeb, N. Brian, W. Handley, F. Iifo, I. Kapofi, J. Kapner, W. Kilian, H. Kolberg, W. Kubeb, M. du Plessis, G. Shatumbo, W. Verfeld performed the aerial survey. G. Kastberger and all the staff members of the Etosha National Park, in particular N. Berriman, T. and A. Burger, C. and W. duPlessis, P. Erb, C. Eyre, C. Grobler, W. Killian, B. and S. Kötting, J. LeRoux, T. Stolz, and W. Versfeld are thanked for information, assistance, and advice.
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Trinkel, M. Prey selection and prey preferences of spotted hyenas Crocuta crocuta in the Etosha National Park, Namibia. Ecol Res 25, 413–417 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11284-009-0669-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11284-009-0669-3