Pune: Critically injured hyena undergoes treatment at wildlife SOS centre

The young hyena was found lying on the road, suspected to have been hit by a speeding two-wheeler. Pic Courtesy: Wildlife SoS

Immediate steps taken in time by NGO Wildlife SoS and Maharashtra Forest Department has helped in saving life of a hyena that was injured after a speeding two wheeler hit the animal.

According to a press release issued to the media, a 1 year 6 months old striped hyena was injured by a speeding two-wheeler in Otur range located in Junnar division, Maharashtra. As the animal required immediate medical intervention, it was rushed for treatment to the Wildlife SOS Leopard Rescue Centre in Junnar taluka of Pune district.

It may be noted that the young hyena was found lying on the road, suspected to have been hit by a speeding two-wheeler. A concerned passer-by immediately contacted the Otur Forest Department and a team rushed to the spot.

Upon arrival, the forest officers discovered that the hyena was injured and unable to move. Taking quick action, they brought the animal to the Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Center (MLRC) in Junnar, which is jointly run by Wildlife SOS and the Forest Department.

A thorough examination by Wildlife SOS veterinary officer Dr. Nikhil Bangar revealed that the hyena, identified as an approximately 1 year 6 months old male had suffered complete hindquarter paralysis, unable to bear its own body weight. The NGO's veterinary doctors placed him under intensive care and treatment. The hyena is now showing signs of improvement.

The incident took place last month and the hyena remains in the care of Wildlife SOS.

Dr. Nikhil Bangar, Wildlife Veterinary Officer, Wildlife SOS, said, "Over the past few weeks, we have been administering anti-inflammatory medication along with oral medication to ensure a steady recovery. The hyena is now able to bear some weight on its left hind limb and will continue to be treated at the centre till he makes complete recovery."

Kartick Satyanarayan, co-founder and CEO of Wildlife SOS, said, "We thank the Forest department for entrusting us with care and treatment of this hyena. Hyenas are seen as dangerous animals and they are widely misrepresented in culture, folklore and even in movies. The striped hyena is the only species of hyenas that is found in the Indian subcontinent and are protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Their estimated population is under 10,000 and are classified as ‘Near Threatened' in the IUCN Red List."

Hyenas in India often undergo extremely horrifying trauma in human-wildlife conflict situations or fall prey to automobile accidents and poachers' snares. The country is home to 20% of the hyena population in the world and their population is steadily decreasing due to hunting practices. Increasing anthropogenic pressure on their habitat and food sources has driven the animals closer to human settlements in search of food.