Success after more than six months of field research

SAVE researcher Torsten Bohm has spent many months in the remote areas of Gabon in search for spotted hyenas, which had been considered extinct but thought to possibly return to the area one day.

Tenacity and patience paid off for this biologist with sightings of many other animals, but the scientist found no trace of the spotted hyenas. They seem to be sharing the fate of other African predators: their populations are shrinking dramatically, due to habitat destruction and hunting, until the animals will disappear one day forever. Sadly, it appears that the spotted hyenas in Gabon are already gone.

SAVE aims to stop the increasing destruction of these animals by any means.

But there is still some silver lining: A few weeks ago Torsten Bohm left his area of research in Gabon and continues his research in the neighbouring Congo.

Here the biologist has finally attained his long-desired success! After examining the pictures, he counted 29 spotted hyenas! It is possible, that there are even more animals, as further evaluation of these images will follow.

The images taken at night with the use of camera traps are considered to be the real deal not only by the biologist and behavioural scientists, but also by people fascinated with animals. Two hyenas greet each other in a special ceremony, while the third one moves around in the sand to get comfortable. Moreover, a leopard, a chimpanzee, a blue duiker and a very rare small-spotted serval also gather right in front of a camera trap.

The analysis of these images provides important information on animals’ habits, as well as on population sizes.

Only sufficient information regarding predators and their prey will allow SAVE to develop and implement effective conservation measures to ensure the survival of the spotted hyena in the Congo. In addition, SAVE, in cooperation with local wildlife authorities, explores the possibility of bringing back lions into the area.