For generations, hyenas have been portrayed as sinister scavengers and feared predators. In Ethiopia, however, these misunderstood animals are offering a very different story—one in which they can play an important role in communities, urban sanitation and the environment.
In the historic city of Harar, wild hyenas have lived alongside people for centuries. The city is particularly famous for its tradition of feeding wild hyenas, a practice that has become an important part of Harar’s cultural identity and a remarkable example of coexistence between humans and wildlife.
But the relationship goes beyond tradition. Researchers studying hyenas in Ethiopia have increasingly highlighted the ecological services these animals provide, particularly in urban environments.
As natural scavengers, hyenas consume animal remains and organic waste that might otherwise be left to decompose in streets and open areas. Research suggests that hyenas can remove thousands of tons of urban waste, potentially helping to reduce the accumulation of organic material and the health risks associated with it.
Their appetite can make them an unexpected ally for cities struggling with waste management. By consuming discarded animal products and other organic matter, hyenas contribute to the natural breakdown of waste while returning nutrients to the ecosystem.
This role challenges the traditional image of the hyena as merely a destructive or dangerous animal. Instead, scientists increasingly view the species as an important component of healthy ecosystems—and, in some circumstances, a valuable partner in maintaining cleaner urban environments.
Harar provides a particularly striking example of this relationship. There, generations of residents have developed ways of living alongside hyenas, creating a distinctive connection between wildlife conservation, local culture and tourism.
The Ethiopian experience also highlights a broader lesson about wildlife: animals often have ecological roles that are overlooked when they are judged solely by their appearance or reputation.
Hyenas remain powerful predators capable of posing risks to people and livestock, and coexistence requires appropriate precautions. But their role as scavengers demonstrates that even animals widely regarded as villains can provide significant benefits.
As scientists continue to study hyenas and their relationship with human settlements, Ethiopia is emerging as an important example of how communities and wildlife can coexist—and how a feared predator can become an unexpected contributor to public health, urban cleanliness and environmental balance.
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