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Oops - sorry for having gone off topic there!!!

Regarding Brown Hyenas, I for one would not write off them being in Kruger somewhere, especially further North in the dryer regions. On a side note, I highly recommend a read of Mark and Delia Owens' book "Cry of the Kalahari" - quite an old book but set in the Kalahari with the focus of the book being on their experiences there and trying to find out more about the Brown Hyena.

Totally and valiantly so. But it would be most informative if someone in the know could tell us for sure whether brown hyaena in fact reside in the Park. One guy who sounded like an expert at Maholoholo a few years ago insisted that Brown Hyaena are entirely extinct from Kruger.

I would agree with that.

Someone could prove me wrong with a pic and an integrity certificate though.

Not entirely no, they haven't been seen in the wild for a long time too.
Expect a bit of a broom here though...

Ontopic: I'll contact someone, maybe the Cybertrackers have noted spoor or actual sightings of the brownies (not the cakes!).

This is exciting stuff - the quest for the re-emergence of the Brown Hyaena in southern Africa. You mean they haven't even been sighted recently in the wild areas of the west? (I thought they were more common there.)

It is more than 20 years since we saw a Brown Hyaena at Kumana Dam but having said that I saw one in April last year in the Greater Kruger area and I do not believe that there is any earthly reason why they would not be present in Kruger! It is surely a matter of time before a night drive spots one or alternatively maybe the trails rangers see spoor! An interesting scenario I agree!

Thank for the replys and input guys. Very interesting subject. But still no picture from in KNP... hmmm proof is in the picture!!

A single individual was sighted in (I believe) Sep last year in the southern areas of the Timbavati. Less than 5 kms from the Kruger border (Orpen area).

Ja, well, then they must certainly be present in Kruger. Strange, though, that they're not seen regularly there - after all, there are a million visitors a year (although probably 10% of those have a chance of seeing brown hyaena, judging from the speeds and times they travel), and loads of Park staff out in the field. Perhaps it is competition from other predators?

This is from a rather old book, "Predators of Southern Africa", by Hans Grobelar, Anthony Hill Martin and Clive Walker.

"High densities of Spotted Hyenas are probably the main reaon for their virtual absence from areas like the Kruger National Park ad Hluhluwe Game Reserve".

The book was printer in 1984, but I notice the phrase, "virtual absence", not complete absence.

Thanks, MM, for your diligent investigation. The picture has gelled nicely with all the expert info on this forum recently. Enjoy your cuppa, by the way.

Virtual absence 25 years ago probably means total absence today.
Young spotties sometimes confuse people because of their absence of spots.
Show us, the unbelievers, a pic please, not somebody's cousin once heard of someone who might.....

Or go to Marie se Draai....

I am making enquiries as well .

To the sceptics :
I received independent confirmation of above a few minutes ago .

nice to hear they do seem to be still around in the KNP-area


not that I dared wishing to spot them myself on my next trip