Researchers were shocked to find the first spotted hyena in Egypt in roughly 5,000 years. It was hit by a truck, though.
A spotted hyena made an appearance in Egypt for the first time in 5,000 years. However, it didn’t have a good reunion because it was hit by a pickup truck. Trackers purposely hit it for eating their goats.
The first hyena seen in Egypt in 5,000 years was hit by a truck
Researchers were baffled by a spotted hyena that traveled far beyond its normal range. The species went extinct 5,000 years ago, so this dude was pretty far away from home.
Normally, they stay much further south as northern climates around Egypt become too dry for their prey. It’s possible that this hyena was following prey during a recent wet spell in the region.
However, the hyena didn’t enjoy the area for very long. It ate two goats, so drivers purposely hit and killed it with a pickup truck.
Locals tracked the hyena in Wadi Yamib, about 19 miles from the Sudanese and Egyptian border. According to Live Science, they are master trackers familiar with all large mammals in the area.
Livestock losses can financially devastate people. Also, they live among striped hyenas because it’s rare for them to attack livestock. They are smaller than the spotted variety.
A reacher photographed and filmed the dead hyena. He then sent the media to his colleagues for identification, and they were surprised to see the spotted hyena.
A regional weather cycle during the past five years has increased rainfall and plant growth in the typically dry regions. This could have supported prey for the hyena.
Also, slaughterhouses, Sudan’s political instability, and civil war may have increased hyenas in the region. Hopefully, they won’t all be chased down by trucks.
Hyenas live in large groups but also can hunt alone if necessary. But this guy might not have been alone.
