Hyena Injured In Accident On Pune-Nashik Highway, Wildlife SOS Provides Treatment

Pune, 2nd June 2022: A striped hyena had a close brush with death after getting hit by a speeding vehicle on the Pune-Nashik highway in Manchar Forest Range located in Ambegaon taluka of Pune district, Maharashtra.

Forest Department and Wildlife SOS rushed to provide on-site treatment and the hyena is currently undergoing medical observation.

The animal was gravely injured and was found by local passers-by on the roadside. They immediately alerted the Forest Department and a team of officers carefully transferred the injured hyena to the nearest Range Forest office. The Wildlife SOS team operating out of the Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre also rushed to the spot to provide urgent medical assistance.

Upon arrival, Wildlife SOS veterinary officer Dr Nikhil Bangar carried out on-site treatment with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medication. A meticulous examination revealed that the hyena sustained injuries on its head, shoulders and legs, and has been placed under intensive care at the Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre in Junnar, which is jointly run by Wildlife SOS and the Forest department.

Dr Nikhil Bangar, Veterinary Officer, Wildlife SOS informed, “The animal had lost a lot of blood so we provided fluid therapy. On conducting the preliminary examination, the hyena did not seem to have a fracture. Currently, the hyena is stable due to the medication that we have provided but we need to observe it further.”

Kartick Satyanarayan, Co-founder and CEO, Wildlife SOS said, “The hyena is under medical observation and will be provided with the treatment it requires. Hyenas are nocturnal animals and hence their activity at night is maximum. It is not uncommon for us to receive rescue calls where an unsuspecting animal has been injured due to negligent or rash driving. There is an urgent need to tackle this issue so that no further harm befalls wild animals, and ensure they get safe passage, especially on highways.”

Hit and run cases of wild animals are becoming increasingly common and with expanding cities, the natural habitat of wild animals is shrinking. Linear intrusions like roads and railways act as obstacles for the animals. Wildlife SOS has carried out hyena rescues in the past who have been the victim of such accidents and saved them from life-threatening situations.