Jambo from Gaurav

 
Jambo! My name is Gaurav Singh-Varma and I am the new research assistant for the Mara Hyena Project based at Serena Camp. I am ecstatic to be part of this study and do my part to add to the collection of long-term observational data, key in understanding the social complexities of one of the most interesting animals.

My research background lies at the intersection of human-wildlife conflict and animal behaviour, specifically understanding the relationship between animal movement and connectivity across hostile, disturbed landscapes. I completed my MSc in Zoology from the University of British Columbia in 2023 focusing on the effects of sustainable agricultural systems on animal movement and functional connectivity. Habitat loss and fragmentation due to agricultural expansion has been one of the key drivers of biodiversity loss over the last couple of decades, but there is evidence to suggest that traditional agricultural systems that incorporate semi-natural habitat and implement wildlife-friendly practices can offer win-win scenarios for both biodiversity and farmers. Yet how these same systems affect animal movement is virtually unknown. My work used a multi-species approach to understand how red deer, roe deer, and wild boar used High Nature Value farmlands (HNV) to move across European landscapes, utilizing a large GPS movement dataset combined with resource selection functions in my analysis. We found HNV usage depends on landscape context and varies with space and time, but in general, all three species use HNVs to some extent to navigate the agricultural landscape with red deer and wild boar preferring them over conventional, intensive agricultural fields. These results offer new evidence of the utility of wildlife-friendly farming as an effective management regime to safeguard biodiversity and farmers' livelihoods.

In the future, I am to understand how we can leverage knowledge of species behaviour to guide effective wildlife management in the face of human-wildlife conflict and climate change, taking advantage of innovations in social and cognitive sciences in tandem with biologging to do so. Hyenas provide a remarkable model for this work. Their complex social lives, adaptability and role as a sentinel species (i.e., trackers of ecosystem health), make them an ideal model for exploring how animal societies respond to environmental change and anthropogenic pressures. Plus, it has been an absolute dream of mine to conduct field work in savannah-plain grasslands and marvel at the vast amount of wildlife that call the Maasai Mara their home.

My journey had a festive start, where I celebrated my cousin's wedding with my family amidst the stunning backdrop of Lake Naivasha and its inhabitants. To this point, zebras, giraffes, waterbucks and a lone hippo were grazing in the background during the wedding ceremony, plus there were what seemed like an endless amount of vervet and, my favourites, black-and-white colobus monkeys running and swinging about in the trees. During this time, I was also afforded a sneak-peek of the Maasai Mara after a three-day safari with my family, where I saw four out of the "Big 5" game species (no rhinos unfortunately), and my first spotted hyenas. I later learned that some of these first individuals I saw were part of the Talek West clan, and had a communal den directly adjacent to the lodge my family and I stayed in. A serendipitous start to a wonderful year ahead. 

Since arriving at Serena Camp, there have been many moments that have captured my wonder, but my favourite moment thus far has to be the moment the matriarch of the South Clan, SNUG snagged a snack (try saying that three times in a row) for herself during morning observation. We are lucky enough to have the communal dens for both our North and South Clans, which has aided in my learning of individuals and behaviours, and provided the chance to witness fun social interactions. On this morning, all was relatively calm, as the sun had risen and most of the hyenas were sacked out or playing with each other. Out of the corner of our eyes, we suddenly see STAR, test chasing a Thompson's gazelle. KLSO and SNUG proceeded to join the hunt, with SNUG ultimately coming away with the reward of a baby Thompson's gazelle, limply dangling from the clutches of her jaw after one swift bite to the neck. Matriarchs, contrary to my own preconceptions, are not the most aggressive individuals in the clan since every member knows who she is and, more importantly, to not mess with her. This did not stop SNUG from aggressing on her own cubs, OZA and DOX, however, firmly flexing her motherly prowess while enjoying her small, but nonetheless nutritious meal. This instance show the duality of hyena mothers as both tranquil figures, but also fierce competitors, even with their own children, when the time comes. Again, a true showing of how socially complex hyena behaviours are, and behaviours I hope to see more of during my year in the Mara. 

We are taught to look at the ears and the degree to which hyenas use their head, mouth, and body to determine if they are aggressing, appeasing, or simply playing. The general "rule of thumb" is ears forward is aggression whereas ears back is appeasement. These signs are often how hyenas express their intentions and responses to other members of the clan which has indeed been very interesting to observe. But oddly enough, what I love most about hyenas are how expressive their eyes are. Hyenas are still negatively perceived in the public eye. Most people assume they are ugly creatures and omens intent on wreaking havoc to both humans and ecosystems. In my view though, hyenas are stunning individuals. STAR has captured my attention the most because she only has one working eye! Though she has experienced plenty of hardship in her life (being the second oldest individual currently in South Clan), evidenced by not only her one functional eye, but also multiple scars on both of her ears, she is typically always at the communal den either playing or keeping an ever-watchful eye over the cubs, almost as if she has the role of the grandma of the group (even though she is just the sister of SNUG). Plus, her non-functional eye is shaded a blueish gray tint to look like she has two differently coloured eyes. Each individual seems to carry their own history through their eyes - stories that, as a researcher, I am eager to uncover as I spend more time with each clan to deepen my understanding of why hyenas do what they do.