KwaZulu-Natal wildlife officials are investigating what caused a hyena to attack a 13-year-old pupil who was sleeping in a tent in a game reserve on Sunday.
“Our officials are investigating. We believe that it was attracted by food,” said Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife spokesperson Maureen Zimu on Monday.
She said sweets and chips had been found in the tent where grade seven pupil Nicholas Hudson was attacked. It is not clear whether the scavenger was attracted by the sweets and chips, as it is a carnivore.
Nicholas was among 40 Thomas More Senior Primary School pupils who camped at Sontuli Camp in Imfolozi Game Reserve.
Zimu said Hudson was bitten in the face and head while he was in the tent with other pupils. The animal had ripped the tent before attacking the teenager, she said.
“He was taken to the Bay Hospital where he underwent surgery. He is still in hospital,” she said.
Zimu said it was believed the hyena stopped mauling the teenager when other pupils screamed for help. She said pupils and teachers had been warned not to keep food in their tents as that would attract animals. — Sapa