{
  "id": 7263828,
  "title": "‘Unnoticed or misunderstood’: Why India’s striped hyenas matter",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/unnoticed-or-misunderstood-why-indias-striped-hyenas-matter",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-14T07:00:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express - Lifestyle",
    "slug": "the-indian-express-lifestyle",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/pets-animals/unnoticed-or-misunderstood-why-indias-striped-hyenas-matter-10862091/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Striped hyenas in India often fly under the radar, frequently misunderstood and shrouded in folklore. Playful yet vital, these scavengers perform an essential function within ecosystems by consuming carcasses and recycling nutrients back into the environment. Unlike their spotted hyena counterparts in Africa, striped hyenas (Hyaena hyaena) can be found roaming the dry and semi-arid regions of India.\n\nA recent report revealed how these often-overlooked scavengers contribute to maintaining clean ecosystems. Wildlife photographer and conservationist Indrajit Ghorpade emphasized the crucial role of striped hyenas in the natural cycle of life and death. He explained, \"Scavengers like hyenas, vultures, etc. play an important role in the cycle of life and death,\" highlighting the importance of their scavenging behavior.\n\nHowever, their food sources are dwindling due to changes in wild prey populations, livestock practices, and improper disposal of animal remains. Ghorpade noted, \"There is a lack of carcasses due to predator-prey imbalance, and they are dependent on livestock dumped. Many times contaminated.\" Moreover, carcasses themselves can hold economic value, further depriving these scavengers of their food sources.\n\nOutside protected areas, striped hyenas face threats such as habitat loss, illegal hunting, and persecution due to negative perceptions stemming from folklore and outdated customs. As Ghorpade pointed out, changing these misconceptions is crucial for their conservation. Protecting striped hyenas goes beyond safeguarding a single carnivore; it entails preserving their habitats, food sources, and ecological relationships that enable them to fulfill their important role in the ecosystem.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Striped hyenas in India often overlooked and misunderstood.",
    "Essential scavengers maintain clean ecosystems by recycling nutrients.",
    "Habitat loss, illegal hunting, and folklore threaten their survival."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Recognising the ecological importance of striped hyenas shifts conservation focus from reactive protection to preserving habitats, food sources, and relationships that sustain their vital scavenging role.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "‘Unnoticed or misunderstood’: Why India’s striped hyenas matter",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/unnoticed-or-misunderstood-why-indias-striped-hyenas-matter-7268827",
        "published": "2026-09-14T07:00:05.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}