NAIROBI, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- Kenya said Wednesday that it has launched investigations into increased hyena attacks across the country.
Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua said preliminary investigations into the surge in hyena attacks in the Juja area on the outskirts of Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, and around the Nairobi National Park point to a notable increase in hyena population.
"We must understand that these animals are simply adapting to their environment. While it is our duty to conserve and protect our wildlife, we also need to take precautions to ensure the safety of our citizens," Mutua said in a statement issued in the coastal town of Kilifi.
Mutua said the hyena population had multiplied during the dry season, when a lack of water and pasture had led to the deaths of some animals, adding that scavengers, in turn, took advantage of the abundance of easily available food.
The official said the increased proximity of hyenas to human settlements has led to a rise in confrontations and urged Kenyans to exercise caution, particularly during the night, and avoid walking near areas where wild animals are known to reside.
Mutua's statement came a day after marauding hyenas killed a man and injured two others near a university on the outskirts of Nairobi, prompting a protest by the students.
There have been increased incidents of attacks involving hyenas across the country since late 2023, prompting the Kenya Wildlife Service to release guidelines in January this year on how to react when confronted by the animals. ■