بررسي نگرش افراد محلي نسبت به كفتار راه راه ايراني (Hyaena hyaena hyaaena) در پارك ملي خجير

The public perception of stripped hyaena (Hyaena hyaena hyaena) in Khojir national park

The present study aimed at finding out the public perception of striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena hyaena) in Khojir National Park, located in southwest of Tehran and surrounded by a densely populated area with local communities. During 3 field trips, 66 questionnaires were filled out following direct interviews. The results show that people have a positive attitude towards hyena in and around the park and consider it as part of the ecosystem. Local people have accepted the presence of the striped hyaena. The animal is tolerated in Khojir as long as it is not suspected of killing the farmersʹ livestock. Hyaenas are viewed with contempt and fear, and are frequently associated with witchcraft as their body parts were used in traditional medicinal treatments. They are thought to influence peopleʹs spirits, rob graves, and evoke many superstitious fears.