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The brown hyena (Parahyaena brunnea) is inherently challenging to study owing to its secretive nature and nocturnal activity. Available literature predominantly examines the dietary overlap with co-occurring predators, emphasising the species' ecological role as a scavenger, whilst research focused on the species' spatio-temporal behaviour remains limited. To address this gap, we used camera-trap data from a survey conducted in southern Namibia to investigate the effects of different biotic and abiotic factors on the species' occupancy and detection probability, as well as the activity rhythm and temporal overlap between P. brunnea and other co-occurring species, including humans. Brown hyena's occupancy and detection probability were mainly shaped by environmental factors. The species showed a preference for the upper plateau and was more easily detected in secondary canyons leading to the uplands. Human activity did not influence occupancy, although we detected a clear temporal partitioning. Brown hyenas were most active during the central hours of the night, with a single broad activity peak suggesting increased foraging effort, independent of leopard activity patterns. This study represents the first fine-scale investigation of brown hyenas' spatio-temporal behaviour within the Fish River Canyon. Our findings effectively reduce the knowledge gap on brown hyenas' spatial niche and activity within arid inland ecosystems of southern Namibia, characterised by the absence of larger predators, such as lions (Panthera leo) and spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta), and scarcely affected by human disturbance.

The landscape of fear (LOF) framework predicts that prey adapt their behavior to mitigate predation risk, yet the framework's expression in resource‐limited, unfenced systems remains poorly understood. Across seven large herbivore species in an unfenced arid system, space use is governed by bottom‐up constraints while predator risk is buffered in time, producing consistent low diel overlap with nocturnal carnivores and trait‐dependent moderation of spatial responses. We used camera trap data from northwest Namibia to examine how five herbivore species (gemsbok Oryx gazella, southern giraffe Giraffa giraffa, greater kudu Tragelaphus strepsiceros, Hartmann's mountain zebra Equus zebra, springbok Antidorcas marsupialis) and two megaherbivores (black rhinoceros Diceros bicornis, African bush elephant Loxodonta africana) navigate bottom‐up environmental constraints and top‐down predation risk from lions (Panthera leo) and spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta). We tested four hypotheses: (1) that bottom‐up environmental constraints would explain more variance in herbivore space use than predator covariates; (2) that herbivores would reduce diel overlap (Δ) with nocturnal predators rather than vacating resource patches; (3) that megaherbivores would show minimal spatiotemporal avoidance of predators, relative to smaller herbivores; and (4) that herbivores would respond reactively to recent predator presence, rather than proactively by avoiding areas of chronic predator activity. Our findings support a hierarchical LOF in which bottom‐up constraints (dry‐season progression, visibility for grazers, habitat structure for browsers) contribute to herbivore space use and top‐down predator pressures guide temporal activity: most species exhibited strongly diurnal activity, resulting in low temporal overlap with nocturnal carnivores (Δ ≈0.11–0.21 for grazers; Δ ≈0.06–0.26 for browsers). By contrast, spatial responses to predator presence were modulated by environmental context, reinforcing the importance of spatiotemporal plasticity. These results advance understandings of predator–prey dynamics, particularly in dryland ecosystems. We suggest refinements to the LOF framework for multi‐predator, resource‐constrained landscapes. Across seven large herbivore species in an unfenced arid system, space use is governed by bottom‐up constraints while predator risk is buffered in time, producing consistent low diel overlap with nocturnal carnivores and trait‐dependent moderation of spatial responses.

Effective conservation management is underpinned by science. Yet, there are often barriers against the incorporation of up-to-date scientific research into decision-making and policy. Here, we draw on experience from a multi-nation approach to conserve cheetah and African wild dogs across Africa, using relationships between scientists and managers established over more than a decade, to better understand scientific information needs of managers. While our analysis focuses on Africa, many of our findings are likely to be relevant to other regions. Managers view science as critical to their decision-making processes and strongly support scientific research, particularly when research directly addresses their information needs. However, managers reported problems in accessing final results and highlighted the need to access raw ecological data from research undertaken within protected areas. Fundamental to improving the management relevance of scientific research is the need for scientists to engage with managers through all steps of the research process, from project design and implementation through to scientific publication and end-of-project agreements. Effective engagement requires open and clear communication; including agreed processes for access to biodiversity data and submission of final results. In order to foster future scientific endeavours and collaborations, systems should be established to better facilitate information exchange, while also safeguarding the rights of scientists to publish their data and protect their academic freedom. Our analysis also calls for a greater awareness of the geo-political context under which science is undertaken, and for increased scientific participation through an inclusive approach that recognizes, and gives credit to, a wider diversity of scientific contributions and expertise. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Linking behaviour to dynamics of populations and communities: application of novel approaches in behavioural ecology to conservation’.

Effective conservation management is underpinned by science. Yet, there are often barriers against the incorporation of up-to-date scientific research into decision-making and policy. Here, we draw on experience from a multi-nation approach to conserve cheetah and African wild dogs across Africa, using relationships between scientists and managers established over more than a decade, to better understand scientific information needs of managers. While our analysis focuses on Africa, many of our findings are likely to be relevant to other regions. Managers view science as critical to their decision-making processes and strongly support scientific research, particularly when research directly addresses their information needs. However, managers reported problems in accessing final results and highlighted the need to access raw ecological data from research undertaken within protected areas. Fundamental to improving the management relevance of scientific research is the need for scientists to engage with managers through all steps of the research process, from project design and implementation through to scientific publication and end-of-project agreements. Effective engagement requires open and clear communication; including agreed processes for access to biodiversity data and submission of final results. In order to foster future scientific endeavours and collaborations, systems should be established to better facilitate information exchange, while also safeguarding the rights of scientists to publish their data and protect their academic freedom. Our analysis also calls for a greater awareness of the geo-political context under which science is undertaken, and for increased scientific participation through an inclusive approach that recognizes, and gives credit to, a wider diversity of scientific contributions and expertise. This article is part of the theme issue 'Linking behaviour to dynamics of populations and communities: application of novel approaches in behavioural ecology to conservation'.