Spotted hyenas are among Africa's most ecologically important predators yet face persecution, habitat loss, and welfare harms from snaring and poisoning driven by misunderstanding of their role.
Spotted hyenas face welfare threats rooted largely in misunderstanding and cultural persecution. Poisoning causes prolonged, painful deaths for entire clan members who share a carcass. Snaring captures not only hyenas but cubs that become orphaned when snared adults die. Retaliation for livestock depredation — often attributed to hyenas when lions or other predators are responsible — leads to disproportionate killing. In areas where hyenas are captured for traditional medicine use, welfare concerns are severe. Their complex social intelligence and demonstrated problem-solving abilities are analogous to dogs — suggesting rich inner lives that make persecution ethically significant beyond ecological arguments.