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Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Vol-3, Issue-4, 2017 ISSN: 2454-1362, http://www.onlinejournal.in

Some Observations on the Diet of the Spotted Hyaena (Crocuta Crocuta) Using Scats Analysis

Levi Ndubuisi ONYENWEAKU Department Of Forestry And Environmental Management, Michael Okpara University Of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State

Abstract: The diet of the spotted hyaenas (Crocuta considerable distance (Mills, 1984). Their olfactory crocuta) was studied using a non-invasive senses are well developed for locating carrion technique: scats analysis. 54 scat samples were while auditory senses help individuals to locate collected from Madikwe Game Reserve, South where others are already feeding (Mills, 1978; and analysed. A total of 10 food items were Holekamp et al., 2007a, b; Burgener et al., 2009). isolated from the samples and 9 wildlife species Carrion are always consumed quickly and food is were identified as prey. It was found that spotted rarely stored or taken back to the dens (Kruuk, hyaenas consumed mainly large mammals in their 1972; Mills, 1984). Their territory sizes vary, and diets. (Aepyceros melampus), warthog may be determined by the pattern of dispersion of (Phacochoerus africanus) and wildebeest food within the territory (Frank 1986; Tilson and (Connochaetes taurinus) were the most consumed Henschel, 1986; Hofer and East, 1993). prey species, having occurrence frequency of Dietary scat analysis has proven to be one of the 16.67%, 11.11% and 9.26% respectively. This most effective techniques used in studying the diet study suggests that the use of scats in identifying of carnivores (Mills, 1992). Scientific studies have the food components of carnivore species and their tried to analyse the diets and feeding ecology of diet analysis could be helpful in the management of directly by observation and wild species. The standardization of this technique indirectly by analysis of faecal samples and food in improving the identification of prey items as well remains (Mills, 1978; Mills and Mills, 1978; as quantification of killed and scavenged prey is Owens and Owens, 1978; Skinner and Van Aarde, recommended. 1981; Henschel and Skinner, 1991). Analysis of scats has been used to study many aspects of Keywords: Hyaena, non-invasive, scats, prey. carnivore ecology such as diet overlap, diet choices (Breuer, 2005), prey preferences (Hayward, 2006) and economic impacts of wildlife on agriculture (Abay et al., 2011) and has been demonstrated to 1. Introduction be effective in the study of the feeding habits of Mesocarnivores are known to have a characteristic hyaenas (Skinner and Aarde, 1981; Mills, 1992). diet requirement. Generally, food is at the centre of This study therefore aims at considering the the ecology of carnivores in the wild, influencing effectiveness of this technique in dietary studies of their distribution, density, behaviours and social spotted hyaenas. characteristics (Mills, 1992). Mammalian carnivores in the wild play a vital role in maintaining the integrity and balance of ecosystems 2. Materials And Methods (Hayward et al., 2007). Amongst their strategies is 2.1 Study sites prey killing and scavenging, which are inevitable Madikwe Game Reserve (MGR) (25° 002'S; 26° factors in community structuring (Donadio and 122'E) is situated against the border of , Buskirk, 2006). The ecology of spotted hyenas in the North-West Province of (Crocuta crocuta) has been studied by various (Hofmeyr, 1998). The area is dominated by open researchers. Spotted hyaenas are predominantly woodland and grasslands with rocky hills, ; although, a reasonable part of their popularly known as Inselbergs. Presently, the MGR prey is killed by them (Kruuk, 1972; Mills, 1984; has been developed to one of the largest game Cooper, 1990). Their nocturnal behaviour aids reserves and wildlife-based tourism areas, serving them in the search for prey as well as other as home to a large number of mammals and bird territorial activities (Mills, 1984; Frank, 1986; species (Davies, 2000). Cooper, 1990; Boydston et al., 2003). Spotted hyaenas have been described as group foragers 2.2 Sample collection and analysis (Höner et al., 2002) and it is common to observe Scat samples were collected from deposits and foraging groups chasing a potential prey up to a sealed in envelopes. Samples were collected in

Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Page 175 Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Vol-3, Issue-4, 2017 ISSN: 2454-1362, http://www.onlinejournal.in

August 2010. A total of 54 spotted hyaena scat digital camera (KY-F75U) and connected to a samples were randomly selected, weighed, computer system. Photos were taken at processed and analysed. During the analysis, magnification of 10 x 0.40. All items isolated from digested materials were separated from undigested the samples were matched with the reference materials and weighed to obtain the percentage of collection for proper identification. digestion of ingested materials by the species. A reference collection of animal parts of known species were obtained from the site of study and 3. Results And Discussion neighbouring sites where spotted hyaenas and their prey cohabit. These collections included the skull Shown in figure 3.1 is the composition of the food of small mammals, bones of large and small items identified from the scat samples. A single mammals, hairs and hooves from both small, scat of spotted hyaena weighed an average of 21.86 medium, large mammals. Other reference (SD=12.90) grams. A total of 10 food items were collection included seeds, scales, insects, feathers, isolated from the samples. 69.4% of hair samples egg shells and reptile remains. Hair cuticle scale prepared on the glass slides were identified up to imprints were prepared on glass slides and clearly species level. 9 wildlife species comprising 8 large labelled for each species. . Photos of hair cuticle mammals and 1 small mammal were identified in scale imprints were obtained using a high powered the samples. The mean percentage of digested microscope (Olympus BX51) with an attached JVC materials in the samples was found to be 88.5%.

Table 1: Percentage occurrence (F) of wildlife species isolated from the scats of spotted hyaenas in MGR. [F=(ni ÷N) x 100; where ni= number of occurrence of a specific food item; N= number of samples analysed].

Species Scientific name No. of F(%) Occurrence KNOWN LARGE MAMMALS Kudu Tragelaphus strepsiceros 4 7.41 Blue wildebeest Connochaetes taurinus 5 9.26 Warthog Phacochoerus africanus 6 11.11 Red hartebeest Alcelaphus buselaphus caama 2 3.70 Impala Aepyceros melampus 9 16.67 Waterbuck Kobus ellipsiprymnus 1 1.85 Common eland Taurotragus oryx 2 3.70 Burchell’s zebra Equus quagga 4 7.41 KNOWN SMALL MAMMALS Scrub hare Lepus saxatilis 1 1.85 UNKNOWN SPECIES Unknown small mammals 4 7.00 Unknown large mammals 11 20.00

This result showed an eclectic pattern in the diet of species seems to have exploited various sources of spotted hyaenas in the study area. Diet components food within its reach. were easily identifiable from the scat remains. The

Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Page 176 Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Vol-3, Issue-4, 2017 ISSN: 2454-1362, http://www.onlinejournal.in

Figure 3.1: Food items isolated from the scats of spotted hyaenas.

The results of this study suggested that apart from agreed that Impala and Wildebeest are the most vegetable matters, spotted hyaenas fed more on killed prey species by spotted hyaenas including large mammals than any other items that warthog which is among the preferred prey species constituted their diets. This is in accordance with as suggested by Hayward (2006). the findings of Skinner and van Aarde (1981) and Mills (1984) which suggested that this may be as a In conclusion, the use of scats in diet analysis of result of the species engaging in both and spotted hyaenas has proved successful from this scavenging of large mammals especially ungulates. study. This technique is unique, being that it is The occurrence of ungulate hooves as well as hides completely non-invasive (Heinemeyer et al., 2008) clearly supports this assertion. The occurrence of and could to a large extent give an insight into the other food items such as small mammals, seeds, prey availability, preferences, diet composition and birds and reptiles also suggested that spotted feeding ecology of most wildlife species (Mills, hyaenas could become opportunistic feeders under 1992). It is therefore recommended that further certain conditions. The high level of occurrence of studies will seek to standardize this technique, to vegetable matters is supported by Murdoch et al. improve efficiency in the identification of prey (2009) who stated that carnivores could at times items as well as quantification of killed and consume vegetation as roughage to aid digestion scavenged prey. and as well complement their diet. Insects and stones could possibly have been consumed by 4. Acknowledgement chance on the process of the consumption of other I wish to specially acknowledge Dr. Richard diet materials. Although this study has no clear Yarnell and Stephen Bremnar-Harrison for guiding evidence to suggest prey preferences among the me during the laboratory processes. I also wish to species identified to have been consumed by thank my sponsor, Mr Solomon Itiba and the Spotted Hyaenas, Impala, Warthog and Blue School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Wildebeest were observed to have ranked among Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, United the most consumed prey (Table 1). This is Kingdom for giving me the permission/facility to supported by the study of Hayward and Kerley carry out this research. (2008) which suggested that (Panthera leo) and spotted hyaenas prefer certain prey sizes which they can easily kill, which, were mostly impala, wildebeest and zebra. Owen-Smith (2003)

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