Striped Hyenas Keep Ecosystems Clean but Face Conservation Neglect

Gist The Indian striped hyena, a vital ecosystem scavenger, remains heavily neglected in conservation priorities despite receiving the highest legal protection under Indian law. Negative folklore and the total absence of a nationwide population census have restricted conservation to disjointed regional efforts rather than a cohesive national strategy. Protecting this elusive species is critical for ecological stability, as their consumption of decaying meat prevents the spread of deadly pathogens and keeps natural landscapes and water sources clean. Background The striped hyena is a nocturnal scavenger that plays a critical role in ecosystem maintenance by consuming carrion, which would otherwise become a breeding ground for diseases. Despite its ecological utility as a natural public health agent, the species suffers from severe stigmatization and is often associated with witchcraft in local folklore. The species is granted the highest level of legal protection under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 , which theoretically affords it the same conservation priority as charismatic megafauna like tigers and elephants. Key Pointers The complete absence of official census data prevents the accurate mapping of the species' geographic distribution,…