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The future of hyaenas Namibia
The spotted hyaenas is the most abundant large carnivore in sub-Saharan africa, occuring in a wide range of habitats. The future of spotted hyaenas outside protected areas are insecure. They are formidable livestock killers and are activley persecuted. The Brown Hyena project was founded in 1997 as the Namib Desert Brown Hyena Project, and in September 2002 was registered as an "Incorporated Association not for Gain" as the Brown Hyena Research Project.

The objectives of the Association are the research of the Brown Hyena in its natural habitat to ensure the long-term conservation and survival of free-ranging Brown Hyenas and their ecosystem and to create solutions for the conservation of Brown Hyenas and their habitats and all objects ancillary thereto.

This includes, but is not limited to the following:

Applied research and monitoring of Brown Hyenas in Namibia. The development of techniques to implement the long-term monitoring of Brown Hyena densities and distribution. Provision of relevant information, raising awareness and promoting appropriate environmental education. To make recommendations regarding existing and future developments in the Brown Hyena’s habitat. To co-operate with other organisations and individuals with common interests and objectives to better promote and protect. To promote comparative studies of hyena morphology, behaviour, and ecology through collaborative research. To raise funds for Brown Hyena research, conservation and management including its habitat.

The Brown Hyena’s current conservation status in Namibia is “insufficiently known (vulnerable or endangered)”. This category reflects the shortage of data. The most recent IUCN classification (2000) describes the status as “Lower Risk/Near Threatened”. Namibian authorities consider the species to be extremely vulnerable in Namibia. It is currently listed as a protected species in the Nature Conservation Ordinance No. 4 of 1975, but will be given the highest order of protection in future.

The main collaboration partners are the Ministry of Environment and Tourism and the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources in Namibia.. The project addresses conservation issues with the help of ecological and behavioural research on Brown Hyenas and their main prey species, the Cape Fur Seal.