Kenyans Join KWS To Celebrate World Hyena Day: "Tutunze Mafisi Wetu"

• Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and citizens across Kenya commemorated World Hyena Day
• The day is set aside to celebrate the vital role hyenas play in maintaining ecological balance
• Beyond scavenging, hyenas also help regulate prey populations, preventing overgrazing and maintaining vegetation balance

Kenyans across the country joined forces with the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to mark World Hyena Day.

How do hyenas help the ecosystem?

The day is set to celebrate the critical role these misunderstood creatures play in maintaining the delicate balance of our ecosystem.

The KWS took to Facebook to share insightful information about hyenas, emphasising their significant contributions to ecological health.

"Today is International Hyena Day! Let's celebrate the vital role hyenas play in maintaining the ecosystem," read the post.

Hyenas, often portrayed as villains in popular culture, are in fact essential to the ecosystem according to KWS.

Their scavenging behaviour helps in cleaning up carcasses, thereby reducing the risk of disease outbreaks and maintaining the overall health of the environment.

Hyenas regulate prey population

Additionally, hyenas play a crucial role in regulating prey populations, ensuring a balanced ecosystem where herbivores do not overgraze and disrupt vegetation.

"By scavenging, they clean the environment, prevent the spread of diseases, and promote ecological harmony," wrote kWS.

"Thus they ensure a healthier habitats for all species," added KWS.

Despite their integral role, hyenas face numerous challenges, including habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and illegal wildlife trade.

Initiatives like World Hyena Day serve as a reminder of the need to protect and conserve these remarkable animals for future generations.

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.