Living alongside does not always mean knowing: study reveals how the Striped Hyaena’s elusive life shapes local perceptions

A new study challenges the assumption that people living close to wildlife inherently understand the species around them. Researchers from Human and Environment Alliance League, The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology, and National Centre for Biological Sciences found that knowledge depends on the ability to observe the animal.

Striped Hyaena, elusive and nocturnal, reduces opportunities for direct encounters, leading to gaps in knowledge filled by folklore, hearsay, and media portrayals. The study found that only 39% of respondents correctly identified the Striped Hyaena, and knowledge of its ecological traits was lower than for more commonly encountered carnivores.

Cultural identities emerged around the species, with "Gaadha" aligning more closely with scientific knowledge and "Kuia" embodying a ferocious, pack-hunting predator with exaggerated abilities. The study highlights how a single negative interaction can give rise to a recognisable, yet inaccurate, cultural representation of an elusive species.