Uzbekistan Champions International Protection for Striped Hyena

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — At the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS COP15), key decisions were made to strengthen global biodiversity conservation efforts.

Approximately 40 species and populations, including rare and endangered animals, were added or updated in Appendices I and II of the Convention.

A landmark decision was the inclusion of the striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena), an initiative led by Uzbekistan in cooperation with Tajikistan. This step reflects Uzbekistan’s systematic efforts to advance international measures for the species’ protection.

The striped hyena is classified as rare and vulnerable, facing population decline due to habitat degradation, direct persecution, and reduction of its food base. In Central Asia, the species exists in fragmented populations, requiring coordinated cross-border conservation measures.

The adopted resolution calls for enhanced international protection, including population monitoring, mitigation of key threats, and strengthened cooperation among range countries. Additionally, at Uzbekistan’s initiative, the species was incorporated into the Central Asian Mammal Initiative (CAMI), providing a practical framework for its conservation.

COP15 supported both of Uzbekistan’s proposals: the inclusion of the striped hyena in the CMS appendices and the establishment of mechanisms for practical protection.

These decisions underscore Uzbekistan’s active role in international wildlife conservation and lay the groundwork for the long-term preservation of the striped hyena in Central Asia.