Jason and Brendan aren t hunters. They re scientists who are trying to understand hyena biology and behavior. They trap the animals, fit them with radio collars, and then track them. Tracking hyenas helps Jason and Brendan learn about where the hyenas go, what they eat, and how many there are around. Understanding hyenas will help save the animals from destruction.
Ranchers see hyenas as an enemy because hyenas eat their cows and goats.
By understanding hyena behavior better, Jason and Brendan hope to come up with ideas that will allow ranchers and hyenas to get along. After a bumpy ride, we arrived at the trap and jumped off of the jeep. Before I could see the trap, I was hit by the stomach-churning smell of rotten meat. As we crept quietly through the acacia bushes, I could hear growling and scratching. There, pacing back and forth inside the trap and obviously a little angry, was a powerful-looking spotted hyena.