Persecuted by humans (from Honer et al. 2008 unless otherwise noted)
- Primary threat (IUCN Hyaena Specialist Group)
- Classified as "vermin" in Ethiopia
- Often driven by fear or by conflict over livestock
- Frequently trapped, poisoned, and shot; both inside and outside protected areas
- Incidental catch in wire snares set to trap herbivores for their meat is a significant contributor to adult mortality in the Serengeti
- Accounts for over 50% of adult mortality
- Incidents increasingly common since the 1970's
- Entire clans may be killed by poisoning
Sport/game hunting uncommon (from Honer et al. 2008 unless otherwise noted)
- Hunted for sport
- Considered an unattractive species
- Hunted "for fun" or used as "target practice" (Honer et al. 2008; IUCN Hyaena Specialist Group)
- Killed as a source of food
- Not a typical source of bushmeat
- Portions of the animals used for medicine
Decline in prey abundance (from Honer et al. 2008)
- Habitat loss indirectly impacts prey
- Driven by expansion of human settlements and overgrazing by livestock