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[[File:Spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta).jpg|alt=International Hyena Day - April 27|thumb|International Hyena Day - April 27]]
'''International Hyena Day''' is a day that is dedicated to celebrating and raising awareness about the hyena. It is celebrated every year on April 27.

Hyenas are often portrayed in a negative light in popular culture, depicted as cowardly scavengers who steal food from other animals. However, this couldn't be further from the truth. Hyenas are incredibly intelligent and adaptive animals, and play a crucial role in their ecosystem as both hunters and scavengers.

There are four species of hyena found in Africa: the spotted hyena, the brown hyena, the striped hyena, and the aardwolf. The spotted hyena is the most well-known and widely studied of the four species. It is also the largest and most social of the hyenas, living in clans of up to 80 individuals.

Hyenas are highly adaptable animals that can thrive in a variety of habitats, from grasslands and savannas to deserts and mountains. They are opportunistic feeders and will eat almost anything, from carrion and insects to small and large mammals, including wildebeest, antelope, and even buffalo.

Unfortunately, hyenas face many threats, including habitat loss and fragmentation, persecution by humans, and competition with other animals. The [[International Union for Conservation of Nature]] (IUCN) lists the spotted hyena as a species of "Least Concern," but the other three species are all classified as "Vulnerable" or "Near Threatened." <sup>[citation needed]</sup>

To combat these threats and promote conservation efforts, International Hyena Day was established. The day is dedicated to educating people about the importance of hyenas in their ecosystem and dispelling the myths and misconceptions that surround these animals.

== See also ==

* [[Animal awareness days]]

[[Category:Animal awareness days]]
[[Category:Hyenas]]