SAN ANTONIO – Two spotted hyenas have officially made their debut at the San Antonio Zoo.
Zoo officials announced the hyenas' arrival on Friday. One of the hyenas is seven-years-old and the other hyena will turn four-years-old in October.
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However, both of their genders are currently unknown as “hyenas do not have external anatomy to help differentiate between male and female,” according to SA Zoo officials.
NEW ARRIVAL!BIG NEWS! We've recently become home for a pair of... Drumroll..... Hyenas!! We worked closely with officials who relocated the hyenas to ensure the animals had a safe home. San Antonio Zoo cared for hyenas through 2014 and is well equipped to provide excellent care for these animals. Purportedly one of the hyenas is seven years old (male), and the other turns four next month; the sexes are currently unknown as hyenas do not have external anatomy to help differentiate between male and female. The median life expectancy for spotted hyenas is approximately 21 years in human care. While hyenas are often misunderstood, they are a critical part of Africa's ecosystems. The newly arrived hyenas have begun exploring their new habitat at The Grottos in the coming days and weeks. "Securing a future for wildlife and the places they live doesn't always simply apply to their home range," said Tim Morrow, President & CEO San Antonio Zoo. "We are currently acclimating the hyenas to each other and their new habitat, and we look forward to once again educating our visitors about this species, a species that is largely misunderstood. Support San Antonio Zoo by donating at https://sazoo.org/recovery or purchasing a ticket to come see our new additions and more at https://sazoo.org/buy-tickets!
Posted by San Antonio Zoo on Thursday, September 24, 2020
If you visit the zoo, you can see at least one of the hyenas in their new habitat in The Grottos.
Zoo officials said they aren’t sure if the hyenas will be out in the yard together as of yet, as it depends on how they get acclimated.
“Securing a future for wildlife and the places they live doesn’t always simply apply to their home range,” said Tim Morrow, President & CEO San Antonio Zoo, in a statement. “We are currently acclimating the hyenas to each other and their new habitat, and we look forward to once again educating our visitors about this species, a species that is largely misunderstood.”
This isn’t the first time hyenas have been housed in San Antonio. The zoo has cared for hyenas through 2014, and zoo officials said they are still equipped to do so.
Hyenas have a life expectancy of 21 years in human care.
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