The striped hyena is the most widely distributed hyena species in the world. It’s also the only one found outside Africa. Its range extends from Africa across the Indian subcontinent and into Central Asia.
Despite its wide distribution, the striped hyena is considered rare: in Tajikistan it’s categorized as “Critically Endangered” on the national Red List. Its global population is declining, and the IUCN classifies it as ‘Near Threatened’.
In Tajikistan, the striped hyena was long believed to be extinct. But in 2014 videos appeared on the internet showing two animals that had been killed. This was the start of a seemingly impossible search. Working with the Zoological Society for the Conservation of Species and Populations (ZGAP) and our local partner the Tajikistan Nature Foundation (TNF, previously ANCOT), NABU set out in search of the supposedly locally extinct species – and found it!
Travelling with our partner TNF for monitoring as part of our striped hyena project in Tajikistan - photo: TNF
The first photographic evidence of a striped hyena was found in 2016. In following years, three further individuals were recorded with camera traps. However, this data was not sufficient to determine a robust population size of the striped hyena in southern Tajikistan, which was assumed to be fewer than 30 individuals at the time NABU therefore made further efforts to gather evidence, in collaboration with the Tajikistan Nature Foundation. And these efforts bore fruit: in spring 2024 two striped hyenas were captured by different camera traps. This proof formed the basis for our project, aimed at the long-term conservation of the striped hyena in Tajikistan.
But this data was not sufficient to determine the size of the striped hyena population in southern Tajikistan, which was estimated to be fewer than 30 individuals at the time. NABU therefore made further efforts to gather evidence, in collaboration with the Tajikistan Nature Foundation. And these efforts bore fruit: in spring 2024 two striped hyenas were captured by different camera traps. This proof formed the basis for our project, aimed at the long-term preservation of the striped hyena in Tajikistan.
CITES will now offer stronger protection for the rare striped hyena. The recent decision in Uzbekistan is excellent news for the fewer than 10,000 animals left in the wild. NABU has long pushed for this improvement – and the effort has paid off.
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Striped hyenas in Tajikistan face many threats and prejudices, which exacerbate the decline of the population. In addition to human-wildlife conflicts, the illegal trade in striped hyena products is also one of these threats.
In Khatlon, a predominantly agricultural region, they are increasingly restricted in their habitat and forced to share it with humans. Often the proximity between humans and striped hyenas leads to conflicts.
Herders often see striped hyenas as a threat to their livestock. At the same time, they are perceived as crop pests on melon fields. So they are often persecuted and poisoned, or their dens are deliberately destroyed. Ongoing habitat fragmentation and loss are depleting their natural food sources, which in turn further exacerbates the conflict between hyenas and humans.
Face to face with a camera trap: This image was taken in Tajikistan, where striped hyenas were long thought to be extinct - photo: TNF
The long-term conservation of the striped hyena can only succeed with close collaboration and inclusion of local communities. NABU and its partners are therefore committed to an integrative approach, ensuring better protection for striped hyenas in Tajikistan.
The focus is on the following measures:
One component of the project is the establishment of a local information team, consisting of local community members who already spend most of their time in the mountains. The idea is that members will report sightings or traces of striped hyenas and provide valuable field data for monitoring. This creates a joint sense of responsibility and stewardship: the long-term aim is for local communities to take charge of striped hyena conservation.
The project fosters collaboration with local schools, to raise awareness of striped hyena conservation and educate people about them. This increases tolerance towards the species, improves the coexistence between humans and animals, and helps to prevent direct persecution.
Camera traps help to gather information on the distribution and population size of the few striped hyenas in southern Tajikistan. This data is then used to develop and implement targeted conservation measures.
Southern Tajikistan is dominated by a heavily degraded, human-influenced landscape, resulting in significant habitat loss for striped hyenas. To support their conservation, targeted habitat-restoration measures are being implemented.
Southern Tajikistan is characterized by a heavily degraded and human-influenced, which results in significant habitat loss for striped hyenas. To support their conservation, targeted habitat-restoration measures are being implemented. For example, planting seedling of the Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia), whose fruits are eaten by striped hyenas, helps to increase the availability of natural food sources.
Project title
Conservation of the striped hyena in Tajikistan
Country / region
Tajikistan/Khatlon
Period
2025 to 2027
Partner
Tajikistan Nature Foundation (TNF)
Funded / supported by
NABU e.V. / Parc Zoologique CERZA; Zoo de la Barben
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