Population size and artificial waterhole use by striped hyenas in the Dana Biosphere Reserve, Jordan

Abstract

Abstract Striped hyenas have a widespread distribution in arid and semi-arid areas of Africa and Asia. However, very little is known about their population status or ecology. We used camera traps to estimate the population size and waterhole use patterns of striped hyenas visiting artificial waterholes in the Dana Biosphere Reserve, Jordan. The population size of hyenas at waterholes was estimated, using capture-recapture (identified from unique stripe patterns) method, to be nine animals in 2010 and 10 animals in 2012. Waterhole visits occurred almost entirely at night, with monthly visitation rates increasing in the hotter summer months and as the duration from the last rainfall increased. In conclusion, our results suggest that the Dana Biosphere Reserve provides safe drinking opportunities for a small population of striped hyenas and the use of these permanent artificial waterholes increases in the late summer months.