In the Indian state of West Bengal, the striped hyena lives in close proximity to humans, yet many local residents can hardly identify it. A new study, published in the journal Oryx, reveals how the animal's elusive lifestyle creates significant knowledge gaps and complicates conservation efforts for the species.
Researchers surveyed 104 residents across two blocks in Purulia district. Participants were shown photographs of five predatory species and asked to describe their appearance, diet, behavior, and habitat.
While most correctly identified leopards, golden jackals, and Bengal foxes, only 39 percent of respondents could recognize the striped hyena. Its solitary, nocturnal, and secretive nature drastically reduces the likelihood of direct encounters, causing observations to be interwoven with folklore, rumors, and infrequent dramatic events.
Even its name causes confusion. Some refer to the hyena as 'gaadha'—a large, solitary nocturnal scavenger found near rivers, cemeteries, and cremation grounds.
Others perceive it as 'kuiya'—a ferocious, pack-hunting predator capable of attacking both humans and large animals. Descriptions of 'kuiya' frequently diverge from the species' biology, instead relying on ancestral tales or isolated negative incidents that subsequently gain disproportionate influence.
The hyena's scavenging role is viewed with particular ambivalence. While many acknowledge its contribution to clearing decomposing carcasses and mitigating disease risk, the presence of such activity near villages or burial sites often sparks fears of contamination and spiritual unease. Some harbor the belief that consuming carrion renders the animal 'mad' and aggressive.
The study's authors emphasize that conventional conflict mitigation strategies—such as compensation or protective fencing—prove inadequate in this scenario. It is essential to consider how the animal is woven into local narratives, fears, and cultural understandings. The researchers advocate for localized educational programs, utilizing audiovisual materials, to help communities differentiate the hyena from other predators and grasp its authentic behavior.
The conservation of the striped hyena necessitates not only protection from direct harm but also an engagement with the cultural perceptions that have formed around it.
