Hyena in Malawi Killed After Rampage
June 15, 2005 12:39 PM EDT
BLANTYRE, Malawi - Police and wildlife rangers tracked down and killed a rabid hyena that mauled to death nine people and injured 15 in rural Malawi, officials said Wednesday.

The attacks began early Monday in the central district of Dedza, about 43 miles south of the capital, Lilongwe.

Villagers armed with axes and knives cornered the animal Monday night, but failed to kill it, prompting rumors that witchcraft was involved. The team sent by local authorities shot the hyena the following day, police spokesman Ramsy Mushani said.

The animal's victims ranged in age between 5 and 65, hospital officials said.

One tearful man described to journalists how the animal ripped into his 18-year-old son.

"He told me he was dying, but there was nothing I could do to save him," said the man, who did not give his name.

Hundreds of frightened villagers sought refuge at a primary school, and many are still too afraid to go home, Mushani said. Police and rangers were patrolling three villages to reassure them.

Copyright 2005 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

To the age-old question "what does one least want to see in a phone booth with him", the first answer is, always has been, and always will be: "a rabid hyena".

Just goes to show you that nature still rules us all.

I'm packing a sidearm 24 hours a day except when I'm showering or sleeping and then it's nearby but a rabid hyena has to be just about ANYONE's worst nightmare!!!

I doubt the hyena would be impressed by my Glock compact 45 ACP anyway and from what I understand only law enforcement and military can carry handguns unless hunting over there!?!

$bob$

A rabid hyena would make a great subject for a horror flick. "Cujo" would be Saturday matinee material in comparison.

Cheers,
Canuck

A rabid hyena is definitely not an animal I would want to find in the bush. I was watching a Discovery program the other day that claimed the measured bite strength of a hyena to be significantly more than a lion. 1050 lbs. per sq. inch versus about 690 for the lion.

Remember a couple of years ago when a hyena bit a woman's face off? If I recall, she was camping with her husband, and it was hot at night. So she slid her head and chest out of the tent and lay there. A hyena came along and picked her up by her face and was carrying her off, but dropped her. Her face had many crushed bones and was ripped up very badly. So I am taking a hockey goalie's mask on safari to wear while I am sleeping.

She was from England and also lost an eye, I believe.