According to News360 Nigeria, the hyena broke free from its confinement at the park on Sunday, sparking panic among residents of Dong and the neighboring State and Federal Low-Cost estates.

The Plateau State Tourism Corporation General Manager, Chuwang Pwajok, confirmed the incident in a voice message sent to our correspondent in Jos on Monday. Pwajok assured residents that efforts were underway to track down the wild animal. He stated, “I received a report yesterday of the escape of a hyena from its enclosure at the Jos Wildlife Park and immediately directed all our staff members, especially the park rangers and animal keepers, to take immediate steps to locate the animal."

Pwajok explained that the search has been ongoing since the incident, emphasizing that the hyena is unlikely to wander far from its usual environment because it is not acclimated to the surrounding area. He noted, “The park is quite a large expanse of land, and all hands are on deck trying to locate the animal and lure it back into its enclosure. We are doing everything possible to ensure the safety of both the public and the animal. We have also informed the public about the situation.”

Addressing rumors that the hyena escaped due to hunger, Pwajok clarified, “I want to use this opportunity to address some misconceptions regarding the escape. I urge the public to refrain from spreading unverified information on social media. There are rumors that the hyena left its enclosure because it was hungry, which is far from the truth. In fact, those who have visited the park recently will notice that all our animals look healthier than before. Governor Caleb Mutfwang has graciously approved increased funding for feeding the animals at the Jos Wildlife Park, and the resources have been consistently provided.”