Hyenas wreak havoc in northern Tanzania

Villagers in Tanzania's northern region of Simiyu have raised alarm over marauding hyenas that have been killing their livestock for the past three months, authorities said Saturday.

The wild animals from the nearby Maswa Game Reserve located near Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area are targeting cattle and goats.

Sylas Ngeleja, one of the villagers in Mwabuli village, Kishapu District said: "Our economy and source of livelihood here depends on livestock production but now that is under threat from the hyenas."

The 65-year-old man said on Friday night at around 2 a.m. local time, when a group of hyenas stormed his home with the aim of snatching goats.

The hyenas normally pounce on the livestock at night.

"They killed one goat in my home. I screamed to ask for help from neighbors who responded and we fought with the animals, though I was injured in my left arm," the herder said, adding: "We managed to chase them away that night."

Boniface Butondo, one of the local leaders in the area, said that their livestock was in danger of being wiped out if the issue was not addressed urgently.

Butondo, who is a ward councilor in Lagana said that the situation is worsening in the area, as hyenas start roaming around the villages.

"Worse enough, hyenas have been attacking people," he said, adding that there are more than 10 reports per month of livestock being attacked by the hyenas.

Nyabaganga Taraba, Kishapu District Commissioner said that he was aware of the challenge.

"We are engaging the relevant authorities so that we find a solution to this problem before we lose a lot of livestock," Taraba said. Endit