New Survey Reveals Spotted Hyena Population in Lewa, Kenya

Spotted hyenas. The very mention often conjures up images of shadowy figures, dismissed as mere scavengers, or perhaps, for many, the cackling villains of animated films. These fascinating creatures are often overlooked, overshadowed by more celebrated predators, and rarely receive the attention they truly deserve.

On our landscape, we see spotted hyenas for what they truly are: highly intelligent, complex, and impressive hunters. Like all top predators, they are indispensable to the health and resilience of wild landscapes, and that is precisely why we have chosen to give them the attention they have long been denied.

This mission became even clearer as we faced the challenge of gathering reliable data on hyena populations. For years, this was an elusive goal. Estimates often relied on chance sightings, which were useful to some extent but far from accurate. Without solid scientific numbers, effective conservation planning, robust protection strategies, and accurate predictions for their future were incredibly difficult. That gap was finally addressed in July 2025 through a systematic, large-scale survey.

Inside Lewa Conservancy’s 2025 Hyena Call-Up: A Milestone in Conservation

Between July 13 and 14, 2025, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and partners conducted a standardised acoustic call-up survey across the LBL and Ngare Ndare Forest. A total of 21 playback stations were established, each 1.8 kilometres apart, covering varied habitats.

At each station, researchers broadcast a 40-minute sequence of sounds simulating a predation event. This included distressed buffalo calls, hyena feeding cries, and lion roars. Conducted between 6:20 PM and 7:30 AM, when hyenas are most active, the survey attracted individuals from surrounding territories, allowing accurate counts.

Findings

Analysis revealed:

• Lewa Wildlife Conservancy: Density of 0.43 individuals/km², with an estimated 82 hyenas.
• Borana Wildlife Conservancy: Density of 0.85 individuals/km², with an estimated 104 hyenas.
• Ngare Ndare Forest: Density of 0.31 individuals/km², with an estimated 18 hyenas. In total, the Lewa–Borana Landscape and Ngare Ndare Forest support an estimated 204 spotted hyenas.

Why It Matters

These results provide the first robust, scientific baseline for hyena populations in this landscape. The findings will help guide long-term monitoring, inform strategies for human–carnivore coexistence, and strengthen conservation management across a multi-use landscape where wildlife and pastoral livelihoods intersect.

The study demonstrates that spotted hyenas are thriving in the region, but it also highlights the importance of continued monitoring and conservation efforts to ensure this balance is maintained.

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