While on a hyena collaring mission with friends, Wild Wonderful World traveller Chris spotted a hyena with a snare through his camera lens! We had just collared another hyena in this clan, as part of our ongoing commitment to reduce the heavy snaring in the Greater Kruger Area. While we were watching the clan feed on the bait that the veterinarians had put up to attract nearby hyenas, Chris saw that one of them had a new snare around its neck.

We radioed the vets; who subsequently proceeded to efficiently and safely dart the snared hyena from their vehicle with a tranquilliser drug. Soundly asleep, our vehicles parked around the wounded hyena so we could remove the snare without the other hyena interfering. Nevertheless, it is always a bit nerve-racking getting out of your vehicle in the middle of the bush, knowing there are at least another dozen wild hyena within a 50m radius!

Once we could see the hyena up close, we discovered that she also had a second, much older and deeply imbedded cable snare around her neck! The vet team swiftly removed both snares, which would have slowly suffocated the hyena if left in place. Rabies shots, antibiotics and reversal drug administered, everybody hopped back into their vehicles, the hyena woke up and continued feeding with the rest of the clan, now snare-free and safe!

This operation took place on a reserve bordering the Kruger National Park, during a hyena collaring operation to enable fast action responses to potential snaring incidents, as well as mapping poaching hotspots. Visit our conservation page to learn more about how you can help protect animals like this hyena!

Written by Evelyn Poole