Egypt discovers spotted hyenas for first time in thousands of years

A spotted hyena has been documented in Southeastern Egypt for the first time in thousands of years, revealing an unprecedented shift in the species' range. This is reported by Daily News Egypt, a partner of TV BRICS.

The hyena’s location, nearly 500 kilometres north of its established habitat, has sparked questions about what prompted this extraordinary migration. 

Researchers point to the Active Red Sea Trough, a regional weather phenomenon that has recently increased rainfall and vegetation in the area. This climatic shift may have created a more hospitable migration corridor, offering sufficient prey to support the hyena’s journey.

Using satellite data spanning from 1984 to 2022, the research team observed a significant rise in vegetation over the past five years, transforming previously arid landscapes.

This discovery not only expands the known range of the spotted hyena but also raises questions about the impact of climate change on animal migration patterns.

With shifting environmental conditions potentially influencing species behaviour, further research is essential to understand the broader implications of this unprecedented sighting, as reported by the source.

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