Residents panic as hyena escapes from Jos Wildlife Park

An hyena’s escape from the local wildlife park has caused an elevated level of anxiety among the residents of Dong Community in Jos North Local Government Area.

The incident, which happened on Sunday, has also caused anxiety among the residents of State and Federal Low-Cost estates in the neighbourhood.

Chuwang Pwajok, General Manager of the Plateau State Tourism Corporation, confirmed the escape on Monday. He assured the public that efforts are underway to recapture the hyena.

“I received a report yesterday of a hyena escaping from its enclosure at the Jos Wild Life Park and immediately directed all our staff, especially the park rangers and animal keepers, to take immediate steps to locate the animal,” Pwajok said. “The effort has been ongoing since yesterday, and the expectation is that the animal will not wander far from its abode because it hasn’t been acclimatized to the surrounding environment and all it knows is the Jos Wildlife Park.”

He added that the park spans a significant area, and all personnel are actively involved in tracking and luring the hyena back to its enclosure. Public notifications have been issued to keep residents informed and ensure their safety.

Addressing rumors, Pwajok denied that the hyena escaped due to hunger or starvation. He urged the public to refrain from spreading unverified information on social media.

“There are insinuations that it left its enclosure due to hunger, which is far from the truth,” he stated. “Those who visited the park recently can attest that all our animals are looking healthier because Governor Caleb Mutfwang has approved an upward review for the animals’ care. The resources for feeding these animals have been consistently provided.”

Pwajok acknowledged the long-standing challenges faced by the park, including outdated cages, but assured that active measures are in place to rehabilitate and modernize the facilities. He emphasized that the park management is committed to ensuring the well-being of both the animals and the visitors.

“The rumour that the escape is due to hunger is, therefore, far from the truth,” he reiterated.

As the search for the hyena continues, residents are advised to remain vigilant and report any sightings to the authorities to ensure a swift and safe resolution to the situation.