A Novel Record of Brown Hyaena (Parahyaena brunnea) in Zinave National Park, Mozambique

Abstract

Globally, large carnivores face significant threats and have lost substantial portions of their historical range. The Brown Hyaena (Parahyaena brunnea), one of four Hyaenidae species, has a global population estimated at fewer than 10,000 individuals and the species is of conservation concern. Its population size in Mozambique remains unknown. Zinave National Park (Zinave) in Mozambique is undergoing recovery following the impacts of a prolonged civil war, which severely depleted its wildlife populations. Recently, however, the park has seen the return of large carnivores, both naturally (Spotted Hyaena; Crocuta crocuta, Leopard; Panthera pardus, and Lion; Panthera leo) and reintroduced (Spotted Hyaena and Leopard) inside the sanctuary. During September 2023 to September 2024, through the establishment of a permanent camera trap grid and the periodic placement of camera traps on carcasses to monitor scavenger activity, the first images of Brown Hyaenas were recorded in Zinave. This provides evidence of their presence in an area not previously considered within the species extant range. This study highlights the importance of long-term biodiversity monitoring, both inside and outside protected areas, using complementary methods such as active search efforts and camera trapping. These approaches are critical for documenting rare and cryptic species, species range shifts and generating essential data to guide effective conservation strategies.