School Teaches Children How Survive Hyena Attacks Amid Increased Attacks

 A school in Kaseveni, Matungulu Sub County, Machakos County, has been forced to teach students how to survive hyena attacks.

Baraka Awali Preparatory School, located near the Oldonyo Sabuk Game Reserve, devised the mitigating measures in response to the marauding beasts' slaughter of livestock and attacks on humans.

The school has taught students about hyenas, their lives, and how to deal with the monsters wreaking havoc in the neighborhood.

During the opening of the area's sole primary school, Chrisphine Oluoch, Manager of Baraka Hawali School, said they had to take the initiative after discovering that many youngsters couldn't tell the difference between hyenas and dogs.

He claims numerous children were slain by the monsters, spreading terror and panic in the region.

According to the school administration, they must release the students early so that those from far places may come home before dusk to avoid colliding with the walking animals.

“We also have been forced to sensitize the children on the hyenas, how they look like, how to avoid attacks and what to do when you face them,” said Oluoch.

Over the years, the parents have had to accompany their children to and from school for fear that the animals may attack them.

Julius Huho, a father, stated that they wake up as early as 4 a.m. to prepare their children for school, escort them, and pick them up around 5 p.m. when the animals begin to emerge from their hiding places.

Many parents are relieved by the new school because their children previously had to trek more than eight km to any institution.

The hyenas hide in the neighboring Athi River banks and occasionally arrive from the Ol Donyo Sabuk wildlife reserve."

The community is concerned that the authorities would find it impossible to lock them up because of the animals' numerous hideouts, forcing them to learn how to coexist with them.

They blame the government for laxity in addressing the issues.