In a remarkable discovery, scientists have reported the first sighting of a spotted hyena in southeastern Egypt in 5,000 years. The unexpected event took place in Wadi Yahmib, 19 miles from the Egypt-Sudan border, and 310 miles north of the known range of spotted hyenas in Sudan.
The hyena was captured and killed by locals, leaving researchers in disbelief. “My first reaction was disbelief until I checked the photos and videos of the remains,” said ecologist Abdullah Nagy of Al-Azhar University. The evidence left the team stunned, with Nagy calling it an unprecedented find in Egypt.
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Native to sub-Saharan Africa, spotted hyenas are pack predators typically found in southern regions of the continent. This sighting has raised questions about how the animal traveled so far north. Researchers believe the rare weather phenomenon known as the Active Red Sea Trough, which can cause extreme rainfall and flash floods, may have created a migration corridor.
Satellite images confirm increased plant growth in the Egypt-Sudan border region, likely attracting grazing animals and supporting the hyena’s journey. The team is now exploring how this weather cycle might have influenced the animal’s unexpected migration.
The hyena was tracked after killing two goats in the Elba Protected Area, a national park, challenging scientists’ understanding of the species’ range and highlighting the impact of regional climate shifts on wildlife movements.
