BONE COLLECTING BY BROWN HYAENAS HYENA-BRUNNEA IN THE CENTRAL NAMIB DESERT, NAMIBIA

Results are presented of bone accumulations at two dens utilized by brown hyaenas in the Namib Desert. Seventy-seven percent of 3500 bones could be identified representing 142 different food items. Fur seals accounted for 2 5 of the assemblages, other carnivores a quarter, ungulates only 1 20 and the remaining 1 5 avifauna. The results confirm that such assemblages can accurately reflect the composition of the vertebrate fauna from which brown hyaenas scavenge food. © 1991.