Spotted Hyena Cubs Pass Health Check at Monarto

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: December 30, 2020 12:20 pm

A spotted hyena cub during its health check at Monarto Safari Park

Photo Credit: Monarto Safari Park

A pair of spotted hyena cubs born earlier this year at Monarto Safari Park in Australia have undergone their first health check. Veterinary staff and keepers gave the cubs a clean bill of health.

Currently the pair are being raised off-display at the park and were carefully removed from their den to be weighed, examined, vaccinated and microchipped. After the check they were reunited with their parents.

A spotted hyena cub during its health check at Monarto Safari Park

Photo Credit: Monarto Safari Park

Veterinarian Jerome Kalvas, who carried out the health check, said both cubs were looking good: “They are both in great condition, with healthy coats and teeth. The larger of the two cubs weighed in at just over 7kg while the slightly smaller one was 6.56kg.”

While Jerome examined the hyaenas’ genitalia, he explained that it is very difficult to determine the sex of hyaenas as both males and females look so similar. “We could possibly have a male and a female here,” he said, “to be one hundred per cent sure, we will send away a small skin biopsy for DNA testing.”

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While the cubs are off-display some guests taking part in behind the scenes tours have caught a glimpse of them. “Mum ‘Forest’, 13 years and Dad ‘Gamba’, 17 years are often seen carrying the young around in their mouths and bringing them out for people to see,” said Anna Bennett, Assistant Curator at Monarto Safari Park.

“During the day the cubs are usually sleeping but in the afternoon they tend to be up and about. When they’re playing they love to dig and chew. Footage captured overnight shows them to be very lively indeed.

“At the moment, the cubs are sustained through their mother’s milk which is high in energy and fat. They won’t have any meat until they are around 9-months-old.” finished Anna.

A spotted hyena cub during its health check at Monarto Safari Park

Photo Credit: Monarto Safari Park

The cubs are yet to grow in to their spotty coats. Once they become adults they will play an important role in the Australian breeding program for their species.

Spotted hyenas are listed as least concern by the IUCN but their population continues to decline as a result of persecution and habitat loss.

Learn more about spotted hyenas here – Spotted Hyena Fact File | The Animal Facts

Learn more about Monarto Safari Park on their website – Monarto Safari Park