Dry wildebeest carcasses in the African savannah: the utilization of a unique resource

Abstract

AbstractUtilization of dry wildebeest carcasses by spotted hyaena in an African savannah setting is investigated. Four transects of varying length (3–10 km) were located in the Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya. Measuring carcass weight changes biweekly over a period of 9 months monitored hyaena use of dry wildebeest carcasses. Nutrient quality of dry carcasses (skin and bone) and of flesh was analysed in the laboratory using the material collected in the field. Contrary to common expectation, carcass weight change was significantly higher when the migrants were present in the Reserve than when they were absent in all transects monitored. This is thought to indicate greater carcass utilization during periods of relative prey scarcity caused by the migratory herd movements within the Reserve, and perhaps, the territorial nature of spotted hyaenas. Nutrient analysis indicated that dry carcasses contain significant amounts of protein, carbohydrates and minerals, although lacking in fats compared with flesh. The opportunistic nature and evolution of a digestive physiology in this species capable of utilizing dry carcasses appears to have important adaptive value in an environment frequented by thousands of migrant herbivores for short periods every year.