There was palpable tension within Dong Community in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State on Monday following the escape of a hyena from the Jos Wildlife Park.
PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the incident, which occurred on Sunday, has left residents of Dong and neighbouring state and Federal Low-Cost estates on edge.
The General Manager of the Plateau State Tourism Corporation, Chuwang Pwajok, confirmed the escape .
Pwajok assured residents that efforts were being intensified to recapture the wild animal.
He stated, “I received a report yesterday of a hyena escaping from its enclosure at the Jos Wildlife Park and immediately directed all our staff, especially the park rangers and animal keepers, to take immediate steps to locate the animal.
“The effort has been ongoing since yesterday all through today, and the report reaching me at the Jos Wildlife unit has it clearly that the animal, the expectation at least, will not wander off far from its abode because it hasn’t been acclimatised to the surrounding environment and all it knows is the Jos Wildlife Park.
“You know the park is quite a huge span of land and all hands are on deck in trying to locate the animal and lure it back into its enclosure. So, we’re all trying our best to make sure that there’s no harm to people within the park and even the animals. We sent out information to the public, informing them of what has happened.”
Pwajok also addressed and dismissed rumors circulating on social media that the hyena’s escape was due to hunger and starvation.
He urged the public to refrain from spreading unverified information, emphasising, “There are insinuations in some quarters that it left its enclosure due to hunger, which is far from the truth.
“ If anything, those who visited the park some months back and have equally gone back recently will attest that all our animals are looking healthier than they were before because Governor Caleb Mutfwang has graciously approved an upward review for the animals at the Jos Wildlife Park.
“ The resources for feeding these animals have consistently been released to this corporation.
“One of the major priority areas at the management team of the Plateau Tourism Corporation has remained the Jos Wildlife Park. Though several challenges bedevil the park due to long years of neglect, these challenges are disappearing within the Jos Wildlife Park.
“Some of the cages are old, and we have consistently helped to manage this situation. I am very happy to report that very active measures are in place.
“Very soon, all the cages will be rehabilitated and modernised, and people will see the new Jos Wildlife Park, which will give them a rewarding game-viewing experience.
The rumour that the escape is due to hunger is, therefore, far from the truth.”
Residents are urged to remain vigilant while the search for the hyena continues.
The Plateau State Tourism Corporation has reassured the public that every possible measure is being taken to ensure the safety of both the residents and the animals within the park.
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