LIMPOPO – A pregnant female hyena has been rescued after being found with a cable snare around her neck in the Balule Nature Reserve.

The Phalaborwa Natural Heritage Foundation (PNHF) worked with Balule rangers to rescue the animal after she was spotted in the reserve.

The hyena clan’s territory often extends beyond the protected area onto neighbouring farms, exposing the animals to various threats, said Eugene Troskie of the PNHF.

Days of monitoring before first attempt

Knowing the rescue could take several attempts, the team set up a bait station at the location where the hyena was last seen and monitored it for several days. When she eventually returned, she was initially wary of the vehicles.

The team waited until she became comfortable around the vehicles before bringing in a veterinarian.

However, their first attempt was unsuccessful when the hyena disappeared as the vet arrived.

A second attempt was made after further monitoring showed that she had become less concerned about the vehicles.

Leopard interrupts second rescue bid

Dr Rita Piso was called in to assist.

“Murphy tried his best by sending a big male leopard to take over the bait, but our hyena hung around, luckily,” said Troskie.

Piso successfully darted the hyena, allowing the team to safely place her on a stretcher.

The snare was removed and the wound cleaned.

A field sonar examination confirmed that the hyena was pregnant and would soon have cubs.

After the reversal drug was administered, the hyena recovered and walked away, free of the snare.