Hungry hyenas terrorize villagers in Tanzania

 

A pack of hungry hyenas has caused panic in the drought-hit Ushetu district of the Shinyanga region in the East African country of Tanzania, attacking villagers and killing livestock.

According to local residents are now terrified as dozens of hyenas, who have strayed from a nearby wildlife sanctuary, are now targeting people and livestock, highlighting rising conflicts between humans and wildlife.

Students from nearby schools are also fearing for their life forcing parents to build makeshift classrooms for their children who normally walk miles into the bush to reach their school.

The threat of hyenas coupled with a long distance to school deterred many students from attending school regularly, local residents said, adding many children have dropped out.

Dozens of people have been injured after being attacked by hyenas in Imalange village since November last year, local ward leaders in Ushetu said.

Officials from Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority, a government agency overseeing the welfare of wildlife, confirmed they have received reports of human and wildlife conflict in the Ushetu district, adding that they are working to capture and translocate stray animals away from human habitats.