Striped Hyena Beaten to Death by Stones After Being Trapped

A striped hyena, a protected wild animal and the largest terrestrial predator in Israel, was trapped and stoned to death by Arabs near the settlement of Kidar in the West Bank on Friday. The hyena is a protected species in Israel, and hunting, trapping, or harming it is illegal. Despite their fearsome image in culture, striped hyenas typically avoid human conflict, and no attacks on humans by this species have ever been documented in Israel. They are primarily nocturnal and act as "nature's sanitation workers" by consuming carcasses, thus helping to prevent disease spread.

The striped hyena population is globally endangered, with fewer than 10,000 individuals estimated worldwide and a declining trend. In the Middle East, their situation is even more dire. Major threats to hyenas in Israel include road accidents, poisoning, illegal traps, and deliberate hunting. Incidents of shooting and running over hyenas are regularly documented in the West Bank.

This incident follows recent cases of hyenas being rescued after being caught in illegal traps. In March, a hyena cub less than two months old was rescued near Ramallah after its leg was caught in a trap, suffering severe injuries that led to the amputation of a foreleg. Last year, a female hyena was rescued near the separation barrier after being caught in a similar illegal trap, sustaining foot injuries.

The Israel Nature and Parks Authority urges the public not to approach, feed, or attempt to trap hyenas. If a hyena is encountered and appears injured or in distress, the public should report it to the authority's hotline.