Spacefaring civilization in the Delta Quadrant. The Hirogen social structure is organized around packs of hunters, each led by a Hirogen designated as alpha. Status within each pack is determined by possession of prizes from hunts, usually body parts obtained from prey. Hirogen spacecraft roamed the Delta Quadrant, either alone or in small groups, seeking prey. By the 24th century, the nomadic Hirogen no longer identified any single planet as their homeworld. Hirogen culture requires a hunter to study his prey to understand his abilities, believing that such study is essential to prevent a hunter from becoming the hunted. The Hirogen civilization was not only ancient, but possessed extremely advanced technology. Some 100,000 years ago, they built a far-flung communications network throughout the Delta Quadrant that continued to operate into the 24th century. Yet by that time, Hirogen society put nearly all of its energy into increasingly unproductive hunts in increasingly exhausted territories, bringing cultural and scientific advancement to a near standstill. 
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