Rabid Hyena Dead After Biting Villagers
According to reports, a hyena that terrorized villagers near the Jharkhand capital, is now dead. Officials report the hyena was found Sunday night in the Hapadag forest, after biting 15 people last week. It is believed the hyena had rabies.
The hyena was last seen after attacking a villager in Mansabera. Villagers injured the hyena with sharp weapons and sticks, but it escaped into the forest. 
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests A.K. Singh issued a “death warrant” on the animal last week.
The carcass was discovered Sunday night by two forest staffers not far from where it was last seen. Once the news spread, villagers danced and shouted “Lakadbaga mar gaya” (the hyena is dead) in the streets of the area. Some presented offerings to the god Hanuman. Once a post-mortem is performed, the hyena will be buried.
This is the second time in less than two months that hyenas have terrorized villages in the area. In July, 21 people were bitten by a rabid hyena in the village of Lali near Ranchi. Six of the victims died. That rabid hyena was killed by residents.
Hyena photo HelloBobBigBunny via Flickr
Hyena photo Lip Kee via Flickr
