Last year, four male hyenas were relocated from Monarto to Perth Zoo and Altina Wildlife Park. This left two males and two females and over the last few months we have been introducing these animals to begin a new clan. Our aim was to establish all four animals, with the hope that the dominant females would put the males in their place allowing the group to live harmoniously. This, of course, was not to be, but as there is not a lot known about hyena introductions and captive clan dynamics we had to give it a go.

Hyena inrtoductions were a gradual process at Monarto Zoo.

Well, we have successfully completed the field work with The Brown Hyena Project in Namibia for 2011. Three weeks of camping, living under the African stars and searching for hyenas in the night!

We were able to dart and fit GPS collars on 4 animals over the 3 weeks.

Wow, what an exciting few days in the field! We have spent three nights in camp and so far we have been able to dart one Brown Hyena a night. This is very good odds and we hope our luck will continue. I will never forget these nights, such a highlight in life and career to be able to be so close to such a wild hyena. Amazing experience!

Well, I am here is sunny Namibia, Africa, to be a volunteer with The Brown Hyena Project. Participating in this field work is a dream come true for me and I am so excited! Over the next 3 weeks our small team, led by Dr Ingrid Wiesel, will dart and fit GPS collars to Brown Hyenas.

Hi all,

Today I am working at Monarto Zoo. I generally only work at Adelaide, but as the usual Monarto nurse is on leave I was asked to cover for her. I always enjoy working at Monarto and, as they say, a change of scenery can be as good as a holiday.

First up I attended in-house gun training. As a requirement of working within the veterinary department I need to have my gun licence and be able to use darting rifles and other firearms if needed.

After gun training I was off to check on a limping Hyena. His keeper noticed he was licking his toes on his right foot and was only occasionally weight bearing. As we are unable to closely examine his foot without an anaesthetic it was decided to start him on anti-inflammatories and to recheck him tomorrow.