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23 Aug 2017

Hyena spotted near Cape Vidal campsite

Orrin Singh (Zululand Observer)

The hyena which was caught following a local back to the campsite at Cape Vidal PHOTO: Clinton Woodley

‘One of the highlights of camping within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park is the proximity to wildlife, but visitors are still advised to always be cautious.’

A hyena was recently spotted wandering near the campsite area at Cape Vidal.

Zululander Clinton Woodley took to Facebook to warn others as to what his family had witnessed.

‘There is a hyena wandering around the campsite and parking area at night.

‘My father walked into it last Thursday night coming back from the ablution block at 12:30am.

‘It followed him back into the campsite.

‘As much as we appreciate staying in an area in which these animals live, there should be warning signs around the camp making people aware that this animal is in the vicinity.

‘The number of young children running around the campsite in the evening is sure to end in tragedy should people not take care and be made aware of this,’ he wrote.

iSimagaliso CEO Andrew Zaloumis said one of the highlights of camping within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park is the proximity to wildlife, but visitors are still advised to always be cautious.

‘At Cape Vidal in the Eastern Shores section, game is regularly seen in the visitors areas, including honey badger, leopard, bushbuck, bush pig, samango and vervet monkeys and hyaena.

‘On at least one occasion a rhino even wandered through the main car park during the day.

‘These wild animals have frequented the area forever with very few negative encounters between them and humans.

 ‘Visitors are reminded that all animals are still wild.

‘For the safety of visitors and their possessions, it is advisable to lock all food away in cars or strong containers, carry a powerful torch at night and under no circumstances feed or approach any animal closely.

‘The momentary thrill of feeding a wild animal can lead to its habituation, possible injury to humans and the eventual destruction of the animal if it becomes a problem,’ he told the ZO.

 

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