Lake Eyasi, situated in Northern Tanzania, is the 3rd largest Lake close to Ngorongoro Conervation Area and Serengeti National Park. It is situated between the Upper Kitete/Selela corridor and another potentially severed corridor. These corridors once maintained important migration routes for wildlife. A key feature of the Selela corridor is that it connects Ngorongoro Conservation Area to the lowlands below the Great Rift Valley escarpment with Lake Manyara National Park.

Where we are located:

Our Hyena Research Camp is located on the southern edge of Ngorongoro, where elephants, buffalos, leopards, lions, giraffe and other herbivores pass through during the migration. Lake Eyasi falls within a Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) due to its diverse assemblage of flora and fauna, and its importance to both resident and migratory species. The threats outside the protected part of Ngorongoro Conservation Area are increased human settlement and cultivation causing interruption to their movement. Lake Eyasi is also home to indigenous tribes. While the Hadzabe traditionally inhabited the lake shores, the Datoga are mainly centered in the Yaeda Valley.

About the hyena species:

The Striped hyena is classed as near threatened by the IUCN list, with population trends currently decreasing. Little is known about the species, and more work is needed to understand this species densities in all areas. Although there are reported sightings in the Serengeti, Ngorongoro and even Lake Eyasi, there have been no studies on the species at Lake Eyasi. There has been numerous past photo evidence of striped hyenas in the area, including a breeding female seen for 15 years, but the last sighting of this individual was over eight years ago. Sightings from local communities and fishermen throughout the area are reported. In 2024 we captured one individual twice on our camera traps just around camp. 

Spotted hyena have communal dens, visited regularly by each clan member and are usually the central point of the clan`s territory. Along with the distribution data from the hyena clans, we plot the extension of human settlements to determine the overlap. This enables us to narrow down potential conflict hotspots, whereby a hyena home range overlaps with human inhabited areas. Working with the communities within these hotspots, we apply a so-called Conflict Reporting Network (CRN) where communities and United Tansania enter into a dialog on how to work transparently together, exchange data and the interpretation of findings. The final aim is to put agreed upon preventative measures in place to reduce the incidences of conflict.

What's your role:

• You will assist with camera traps set up, their maintenance and collection. They`re placed at den sites and throughout the area.

• You will record tracks and scat spoors of wildlife species via GPS device before the data get transferred to ArcGIS.

• You will help us to compile our hyena ID catalogue in which all data of captured and recaptured hyenas are collected.

• You will conduct household interviews with the communities using evaluation questionnaires.

• You will be involved in front-facing research to understand Human-Wildlife-Conflict resolutions.

• We also run an education & awareness program in a School which is located in the nearest village, called Endamaghan.

• In addition, you will also assist with social media, project reports, ArcGIS, and helping with camp maintenance.

• You will also take part in our visits to the communal den site to monitor our hyenas at night.

• You will also take part in our environmental assessment efforts and re-forestation program

• You will support our fundraising events, help preparing Grant proposals, and other activities to increase our outreach and raise 

        awareness & support to our cause.