Personally, I think there's a strange uptick in spotted hyenas being represented in UK collections - in two years, we've gone from one zoo, with three non-breeding individuals (because the male is the father of the two females) to three institutions, one of which is intending to breed them (and has already done so if reports are to be believed).
Whilst part of me thinks Longleat and Yorkshire were being canny, attempting to capitalise on the 2019 Lion King (**** as though it was), what seems rather more likely is the new EEP for canids and hyenas that EAZA released in June 2018.
I think it must be stressed that atm there is no confirmation on what the new species is. I agree though it would be nice to see spotted hyena in the North of England. I'm happy with whatever carnivore species arrives.
