Diet of brown hyaenas (Parahyaena brunnea) on the Namibian coast

Abstract

The diet of brown hyaenas on the southern Namibian coast was determined via direct observation, scat analysis and by examining the faunal remains at nine dens consisting of 16 135 bones and bone fragments. All remains were identified to species and element where possible. Movements of four individual hyaenas from three different coastal clans were tracked via satellite collar. Range use was higher in coastal areas than in inland areas of the range. However, seasonal range use differences were detected. Seals formed the major proportion of the diet determined by scat analysis. In addition, the number of seal remains found at dens decreased with increasing distance to a coastal food source, scat analysis and direct observations indicated that the local population of hyaenas utilises a much broader food source than just seals. Behavioural differences between the current study population and previously reported populations of Parahyaen a brunnea are noted.

Key words:

• brown hyaena
• diet
• faunal assemblages
• predation