KWS leaves Kenyans confused with safety tips on how to survive hyena attacks

The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) on Tuesday took to social media to educate Kenyans on how to behave incase of an encounter with a hyena.

Normally, chances of running into a hyena, on any given day, have not been proven to be high either for Kenyans in rural areas or in the urban areas but still, a little education doesn't hurt, eh?

KWS was actually responding to a news story shared by NTV, which was also cautioning people on how best to act incase they bump into the notorious scavenger.

According to KWS, a body you should take seriously on matters wildlife, hyenas can actually attack humans incase of a random encounter.

By use of an illustrational graphic, KWS laid out at least seven things one should do incase the dreaded day comes.

First, KWS suggested that one should not run as they risk inviting a chase from the predator. Secondly, they reminded people not to lie down or pretend to be asleep so as not to arouse the animal's curiosity.

Additionally, at the threat of a hyena attack, Kenyans have also been told to 'remain calm', show no fear and in fact, talk to the hyena.

In between standing your ground and walking away while facing the animal, Kenyans were also told to make loud, aggressive noises as a way of feigning an attack.

Most people who read the manual were unable to fully understand just how to really act, given that, at some point, one is being asked to remain calm and yet, at the same time, act aggressively like they're about to attack.

"So, which is which? Am I supposed to remain calm or make loud noises? Am I supposed to walk away or stand my ground? At what point should I resort to aggressiveness? And drop my calm act? KWS, this is confusing!" one X user said.

Other Kenyans were not so sure what KWS meant when they said 'talk to the hyena'.

Economist Reuben Wambui was confused too, asking, "What languages do they understand? Do they prefer formal or casual talk? Also, do they like small talk or do they prefer we jump straight to the agenda?"

One Kenyan even told KWS to back up their assertions and share a practical example, instead of dishing out fantasies in the face of danger.

"On this, I suggest you do a video tutorial. Nominate one of your employees to face a hyena and let's see how these magic tricks work. Otherwise, hii ni kelele tu. No way these random guidelines are going to work in the real world!" X user @kevin_mwangi said.

Just four days ago, grief engulfed Gwa Kigwi village in Juja, Kiambu County, after hyenas mauled a 10-year-old boy to death.

The boy was in the company of his friends when the marauding hyenas attacked them as they were heading home.

The attack occurred even as a team of 20 KWS officers was hunting down the killer animals in villages within Witeithie and Kalimoni wards, following persistent attacks that left a trail of deaths.

This came a month after another nine-year old boy suffered the same fate.

me asking the Hyena to give me a chance to talk https://t.co/8agi3AS1J4 pic.twitter.com/HaFo3dlBbe

Kama ningekuwa admin, ninge-share hii clip. https://t.co/Y1vDjmMeZg pic.twitter.com/NxB4qHV1Bw

"Try not to show your fear"... When standing before a hyena. Kenya is a wild place. https://t.co/xGknbqDo5Z

Lesson number 3 would be tough. "Hyena, leave me alone and go get some Zebra sandwich!" https://t.co/GnqQbfW9VF— Kwame Owino (@IEAKwame) January 9, 2024