Hyenas are useful scavengers that clean the ecosystem by getting rid of discarded bones and debris thus preventing the spread of zoonotic diseases.
With the resurgence of hyena attacks in Juja, Kiambu County, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has issued eight safety precautions and tips for Kenyans residing in the areas as well as across the country.
Hyenas are useful scavengers that clean the ecosystem by getting rid of discarded bones and debris thus preventing the spread of zoonotic diseases.
In an infographic, KWS deemed the hyena as “lazy and prefers scavenging easy meals e.g. carcasses rather than chasing prey”, but that does not mean that human beings should let their guard down.
“In recent times hyena attacks have increased and in case of an encounter with one, it is advisable to consider the following safety tips,” advised KWS.
KWS officers conducting an exercise at a park in 2024 and a group of hyenas (inset). /KWS
First, it is important to note that hyenas mostly scavenge or hunt by night. Kenyans should therefore be on high alert for hyenas during their travels there at night, during late evenings and early mornings.
To avoid attracting hyenas from scavenging near human settlements, KWS urged that residents cover waste disposal areas or burn garbage.
“When walking in hyena areas, arm yourself with a stick and or stone,” the wildlife service advised.
With recent hyena attacks targeting children, parents have been reminded to urge their young ones not to move around late at night or early in the morning, and that they should always be escorted.
When confronted by a hyena, Kenyans are warned not to give it their back, neither should they even think of running from it. “Remember, running away encourages the hyena to chase and attack you,” KWS advised.
Those walking in a group are advised to stay together and not to scatter. Should anyone come face to face with a hyena, he or she must use any weapon at their disposal to attack the hyena that is attacking them.
Kenyans are also warned against sleeping out in the open as they can be an easy target for hyenas.
One thing the scavengers fail at is climbing trees, thus a tree is your best bet in terms of getting away from a hyena. “Hyenas do not climb trees. If there is a tree/wall nearby climb it and stay there until help comes,” KWS adds.
The tips come as KWS on Sunday launched an intensive operation to capture and relocate the rogue animals, mobilising additional specialised officers from Laikipia, Nakuru and Nairobi to support the operation, which will be conducted around the clock.
“We have deployed tens of our officers drawn from different parts of the country. They have the relevant machinery to hunt down and capture the hyenas.
“They will have several camps in Juja and they will leave once the mission is complete,” noted Joseph Dadacha, Senior Assistant Director for the Central Rift Conservation Area.
The operation includes the use of advanced equipment such as night vision tools, traps, and luring devices to capture the hyenas.
Once captured, the hyenas will be relocated to areas far from human settlements to prevent further incidents.
