Spotted hyenas are intelligent, socially complex carnivores whose welfare in captivity is difficult to meet adequately, while wild populations face escalating habitat and persecution pressures.
Spotted hyena welfare in captivity is challenging because the species evolved for vast territories, complex social structures, and active hunting. Captive environments that cannot replicate these conditions produce animals with high rates of stereotypic behavior indicating chronic stress. The negative cultural perception of hyenas contributes to inadequate advocacy for their welfare needs in zoos. In the wild, hyenas face lethal persecution disproportionate to their actual livestock predation impact, with poisoning and trapping causing prolonged suffering. Conservation programs that address community coexistence and reduce retaliatory killing improve both wild population welfare and stability.