Dominance at the Dinner Table: Interspecific Competition Between Hyaenas and Jackals at Scavenging Sites

Abstract

Carnivore assemblages in ecosystems worldwide are shaped by intense interspecific competition for critical resources such as food and habitat. Despite extensive research on coexistence strategies, detailed investigations into interspecific interactions at carcass sites remain limited. This study fills the gap by investigating the interspecific interactions and competition among three carnivore species—spotted hyaenas (Crocuta crocuta), brown hyaenas (Hyaena brunnea) and black-backed jackals (Canis mesomelas)—at carcass sites in the Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa. Using motion-triggered camera traps, we documented the behaviour and interactions of these carnivores around eight carcass sites. Our findings reveal that hyaenas consistently dominate jackals, significantly reducing jackal feeding times and contributing to altered vigilance patterns. Jackals exhibited higher rates of submissive behaviours, whereas hyaenas responded little to their presence. This study highlights the asymmetry in interspecific interactions at carcass sites and underscores the importance of understanding these dynamics for managing scavenger species and their ecological roles. Future research should expand on these findings by incorporating broader spatial scales and environmental variables to better understand the factors shaping competition and coexistence.