Recently, a clan of hyenas left Karingani and took flight headed to Gorongosa National Park!
Hyenas are a critical component to the ecosystem. Not only are they scavengers and part of nature’s “clean-up crew” they are also proficient predators and help maintain healthy herbivore populations by predating on the sick, elderly and weak herbivores. Because hyenas’ powerful jaws and unique digestive system enables them to be able to consume bones, their excrements are extremely high in calcium and phosphorous to the point where often hyena poo is white! These calcium deposits are a way hyenas assist in recycling nutrients back into the environment. Many reptile species, such as tortoises consume the excrement as an added source of calcium to their diet.
Gorongosa National Park in central Mozambique is dedicated to the protection and enrichment of their biodiversity-rich landscape. Part of their conservation plan is to return natural species back into the landscape to continue to build upon their biodiversity. After the civil war, spotted hyenas were extirpated from the area and Gorongosa determined that they are now ready to bring these important carnivores back into the system. Karingani, dedicated to restoring landscapes, was proud to support and collaborate a similar initiative by donating a clan of spotted hyenas.
Two weeks ago, the clan from Karingani were captured and moved to the Karingani temporary predator holding facility. Through a collaborative conservation initiative with Administração Nacional das Áreas de Conservação, Gorongosa National Park, Karingani and the Mozambique Wildlife Alliance, the hyenas were then transported by aircraft to their new home in Gorongosa National Park. The clan will be given an adjustment period to acclimatise to their new surroundings in a holding facility at Gorongosa and then will be released into the park. This historic move showcases Mozambique’s dedication to conservation through collaborations to restore and protect biodiversity.
Karingani is honoured once more to work with like-minded organisations to promote conservation across Mozambique.
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