Monitoring the local distribution of striped hyenas (Hyaena hyaena L.) in the Eastern Mediterranean Region of Turkey (Hatay) by using GIS and remote sensing technologies

Striped hyenas (Hyaena hyaena L.) are one of the large carnivores whose numbers have rapidly decreased in Turkey. To monitor and assess the distribution of striped hyenas in Mediterranean region of Turkey, geographical information systems (GIS) and remote sensing technologies were implemented. For this purpose, the GIS database was generated and digital maps were produced in ArcGIS 9.2 program, considering some of the main factors including signs of striped hyenas, elevation, slope, land use types, feeding sources, and road network. The land use types in the distribution area of striped hyenas were classified by using ERDAS Imagine program. The results from the land use classification indicated that the signs of striped hyenas mostly distributed over the agricultural areas especially with olive groves, and followed by maquis. It was found that there was a spatial relationship between the signs of striped hyenas and feeding sources such as organic waste centers and a chicken farm in the region.