Spotted hyenas are among the most socially complex carnivores, living in matriarchal clans with sophisticated dominance hierarchies. Their welfare in captivity requires understanding these social demands.
Hyena welfare in captivity is complicated by their complex social structure. Small zoo groups cannot replicate the clan dynamics that structure hyena behavior in the wild - the absence of appropriate social complexity causes frustration and stereotypic behavior. The dominance hierarchy among spotted hyenas is individually specific and long-remembered, meaning that introducing new animals disrupts established relationships in ways that can cause prolonged stress and aggression. Enrichment is particularly important for hyenas given their intelligence and natural foraging complexity - simple food presentation leads to rapid boredom and behavioral abnormalities. The species' negative cultural reputation has historically meant that welfare investment in zoo hyenas has been lower than for more charismatic species.