Hyena attack kills two children in Tanzania

© Savannah Cox

In the wake of increasing attacks by wild animals especially hyenas in the Lake Zone, the Wildlife Department in Mwanza is calling on parents and guardians to be extra vigilant to the whereabouts of their children at all times.

Mwanza Regional Wildlife Officer Lusajo Masinde made the call over the weekend following a fatal hyena attack on two children in Sangabuye Village, Ilemela District.

One of the children died on the spot while the other passed away few hours later at the Bugando Referral Hospital.

Narrating the incident, Faustine Christopher whose four year old nephew Elias Onesmo was one of mauled children, said Onesmo and three other children were playing outside their house when the stray animal struck.

He said the children screamed for help but by the time their grandfather arrived at the scene, the hyena had already attacked and dragged Onesmo away.

Sangabuye Village Chairman John Luhaha said the villagers went in search of the hyena and found the body disembodied remains of Onesmo with the head and limbs missing.

The surviving child who was however severely injured was rushed to Bugando Referral Hospital where he unfortunately died undergoing treatment.

Sangabuye residents Stella Gabriel and Mussa Machongo expressed their concerns and pointed out that it is not common for wild animals especially hyenas, to attack human beings noting that hyenas, for example, are known to feed on carcasses rather than hunt.