Current and Future Distribution of Striped Hyena in Nepal

The striped hyena Hyena hyena, a facultative scavenger inhabiting undulating forest and grassland ecosystems, has experienced significant shifts in its distribution due to human activities, such as land use and climate change. Despite these shifts, the extent and direction of these changes have not been explored to inform site-specific management and conservation strategies. We assessed current and future potential suitable habitats for striped hyena using species distribution modeling (SDM), considering bioclimatic and land use variables. We obtained striped hyena occurrence data throughout Nepal from field surveys and existing literature. Using ensemble modeling, we predicted 17.01% (25,199 km²) of Nepal's land as suitable habitat for striped hyenas, with 23.15% of suitable habitat occurring inside protected areas. Key environmental factors influencing habitat suitability included temperature, precipitation, and proximity to water sources. We also predicted substantial declines in suitable habitats by 2070, with reductions of 74% and 79.3% under SSP1-2.6 and SSP5-8.5 scenarios. Based on these findings, we highlight the importance of extending conservation efforts beyond protected areas to safeguard current and future habitats of striped hyenas.