Hope for a Survivor: Rescuing an Injured Brown Hyena

When the call came in, the Naankuse Rapid Response Unit wasted no time. An injured brown hyena – one of Namibia’s most elusive and misunderstood carnivores – was in desperate need of help.

Upon arrival, the team could see she was in distress, unable to bear weight on her left hind leg. Her injury told a heartbreaking story: once immobilised for examination, it became clear she had been trapped in an old wire snare. Over time, the cruel loop had cut so deeply that it grew into the bone itself. The ankle joint was badly infected, with movement painfully restricted.

Working swiftly, our veterinary team surgically removed the embedded snare, cleaned and flushed the wounds, and began an intensive course of care. Pain medication, antibiotics, multivitamins, and IV fluids were administered to give her the best chance of recovery.

She is now safe in our specialised rehabilitation boma – a quiet, secure space where she can heal without stress. With time, expert care, and a little patience, we hope to see her return to the wild, where she belongs.

This rescue is a stark reminder of the ongoing threats faced by Namibia’s wildlife, but also a testament to the difference rapid, skilled intervention can make. Every life saved is a victory for conservation.