A hyena reportedly bit a teen after they placed their arm through a fence at an animal preserve in Ethel, Louisiana.
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The incident occurred last Saturday at the Barn Hill Preserve in East Feliciana Parish after the teen allegedly went into a behind-the-scenes area instead of following a path with signs directing people to different exhibits. According to BR Proud, witness Amber Laviolette said her husband grabbed the teen and pulled him away from the enclosure, then talked to him so he wouldn’t go into shock.
A statement from the preserve said officials have increased security measures to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. “This guest was incredibly fortunate that the hyena they approached was our hand-raised male, who tends to be less aggressive. The guest sustained minor bruising and scraping to their forearm,” the statement reads.
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“The guest viewing side of the fence is a solid wooden wall with tempered glass viewing windows and ample protection for both the guest and the animal. The larger fence spaces are used for positive reinforcement training for medical procedures with our staff of trained experts,” they wrote.
“The enclosure was added in 2020 and has passed numerous inspections by the USDA, which has strict regulations for enclosures that prioritize both guest and animal safety.”
Officials said the six-year-old striped hyena named Mogwi was treated with veterinary care after the incident. Striped hyenas at the preserve have a no-contact rule because of their strong bite. Striped hyenas are known for their powerful jaws and teeth. Their bite force is estimated to be around 1,100 psi, more robust than a lion’s. Their bite allows them to crush bones and eat even the toughest of carcasses. Striped hyenas have a unique dental formula that is different from other carnivores. They have large molars and premolars that are well-adapted to crushing bone. Their incisors are also sharp and can be used to tear flesh.
The preserve also said there has been an increased social media trend of people sneaking into the animal enclosures to make TikToks and videos. This activity is considered dangerous and can lead to the death of animals since they will act on their instincts.