Native Quadrant:Delta

Native Planet:

Background:

The Hirogen are a technologically advanced species native to the Delta quadrant whose single goal is the acquisition of new, worthy 'prey.' Social advancement is achieved through the acquisition of the remains of the prey they have hunted and killed. For a Hirogen, the larger the collection of relics the higher the social standing. There is no mention of Hirogen females.

Voyager encounters the Hirogen when they discover a sensor network that allows them to communicate briefly with the Alpha Quadrant. Following this contact the Hirogen pursue Voyager as new prey.

The Hirogen find the Voyager crew to be resiliant and interesting prey. At some point - off screen - the Hirogen take over Voyager and transform the ship into a large network of holodecks. Using the Voyager crew as prey/actors the Hirogen create elaborate training holoprograms. The Voyager crew is unaware of their role in the holoprograms due to implanted devises that suppressed memory. The doctor is able to restore memory to Seven of Nine and eventually the entire crew. With the crew restored, peace is negotiated with the Hirogen. Holodeck technology is given to the Hirogen as part of the peace negotiations.

The Hirogen continue to use holodeck technology for hunter training making the prey more and more vicious and cunning. Eventually the prey become so evolved that they revolt, kill and escape from the Hirogen.