Residents in fear as hyena escapes from Jos Wildlife Park

Residents of Dong Community in Jos North Local Government Area are experiencing heightened anxiety following the escape of a hyena from the local wildlife park.

The incident, which occurred on Sunday, has also triggered panic among the inhabitants of nearby State and Federal Low-Cost estates.

Chuwang Pwajok, General Manager of the Plateau State Tourism Corporation, confirmed the escape on Monday. He assured the public that efforts are underway to recapture the hyena.

“I received a report yesterday of a hyena escaping from its enclosure at the Jos Wild Life Park and immediately directed all our staff, especially the park rangers and animal keepers, to take immediate steps to locate the animal,” Pwajok said. “The effort has been ongoing since yesterday, and the expectation is that the animal will not wander far from its abode because it hasn’t been acclimatized to the surrounding environment and all it knows is the Jos Wildlife Park.”

He added that the park spans a significant area, and all personnel are actively involved in tracking and luring the hyena back to its enclosure. Public notifications have been issued to keep residents informed and ensure their safety.

Addressing rumors, Pwajok denied that the hyena escaped due to hunger or starvation. He urged the public to refrain from spreading unverified information on social media.