The Ministry of Wildlife Conservation and Tourism has confirmed the successful capture of a hyena that had been roaming the streets of Juba, ending days of public anxiety and widespread speculation.
On 4 June, the hyena was spotted moving along Ministries Road near the J1 area, a high-security suburb that houses major government offices and official residences.
Speaking on behalf of the ministry, Wildlife Official Major Butrus Simon on Monday said the animal is now in safe custody and poses no further threat to city residents.
“I would like to inform the public that the Ministry of Wildlife Conservation and Tourism team managed to successfully capture the hyena that was roaming around Juba,” he said. “The public does not need to panic, and they must stop spreading rumors about this animal.”
According to Major Simon, the hyena will undergo a thorough medical assessment and screening before a specialized technical team transfers it to a nearby national park. He urged the public to remain calm and refrain from spreading unverified information regarding the incident.
He issued a stern warning against keeping carnivorous wild animals in residential areas, saying the practice is dangerous and irresponsible. He reminded citizens that harboring predators severely jeopardizes public safety.
Major Simon emphasized that the government will take strict legal action against anyone found keeping wild animals domestically under updated legislation.
“Please stop raising carnivorous animals because they will have a dangerous effect on everyone. It is also illegal,” he warned. “I hope that this message is very clear; anyone caught raising these animals will face serious legal consequences under the new law.”
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