To protect one of India’s most elusive and endangered species, forest officials in Belagavi are preparing a proposal to establish Karnataka’s first striped hyena sanctuary, reports the Deccan Herald. If approved, the sanctuary would be the state’s first protected area dedicated primarily to conserving this scavenger species, which currently shares its habitat with other wildlife in a handful of sanctuaries nationwide.
The proposed sanctuary would encompass approximately 120 sq km of reserve forest on the border of Belagavi and Gokak taluks. According to forest officials, the creation of a hyena sanctuary could significantly bolster conservation efforts for the species, which faces critical threats from habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and a shrinking prey base.
The population of hyenas in Karnataka has been steadily declining, with notable habitats in districts such as Bagalkot, Bidar, Dharwad, Koppal, Tumakuru, Gadag, and Belagavi under pressure. Conservation experts have identified the dry deciduous forest areas of Savadatti, Gokak, Hukkeri, and Belagavi as some of the last remaining safe zones for the hyenas in the state.
By focusing conservation efforts on this proposed sanctuary, officials hope to reverse the decline in hyena numbers and secure a sustainable future for the species in Karnataka.