“This Is Human Error”: KZN Farmer Attacked by Hyena, Animal Trainer Warns About Wild Animal Safety

• A dog trainer from the Eastern Cape shared a video warning about a recent hyena attack on a young farmer at Cape Vidal campsite in KwaZulu-Natal
• The educational content creator explained how the victim was dragged from his tent and bitten on his face, head and hand before managing to fight off the hyenas with his father's help
• South Africans flooded the comments section with their own camping experiences and mixed reactions about wildlife encounters
• Briefly News spoke to medical expert Jayshri Rangasamy on the health complications one can expect after being bitten by a wild animal

A dog trainer and wildlife enthusiast has gone viral after sharing a powerful warning about a terrifying hyena attack that left a young farmer fighting for his life at a popular KwaZulu-Natal campsite.

Content creator @nick.duranty.2025, who specialises in canine training services and regularly shares animal-related educational content, posted the emotional video on 2 September 2025, which has since gained over 2,400 reactions and hundreds of comments from concerned South Africans.

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The Eastern Cape man, who now lives in Hoedspruit, used the incident to educate his followers about the dangers of not respecting wild animals in their natural habitat. In his caption, he wrote:

"Hyena attacks human! Another wild animal attack in South Africa, KZN! The campsites also need to start making better safety precautions for the people!!Electric fences and patrols at night around camp!"

In the emotional video, the dog trainer explains how the young farmer was dragged out of his tent by hyenas at Cape Vidal area, suffering serious injuries to his face, head and hand. The victim had to fight the animals off himself before his father came to his rescue, and he was later taken to the hospital, where he's currently recovering from the traumatic experience.

The content creator didn't hold back in explaining what went wrong, pointing out that the campers had been drinking and partying and forgot to close their tent properly. He stressed that this was a case of "human error" and that people need to understand they're entering the animals' territory, not the other way around.

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Drawing from his experience working with animals, the trainer emphasised the importance of being vigilant at all times when camping in wild areas. He explained how even rangers check their boots for snakes and beds for dangerous creatures, always carrying torches and making sure areas are safe before settling down for the night.

Speaking to Briefly News writer, Nerissa Naidoo, medical expert Jayshri Rangasamy discussed the health complications one can expect after being bitten by a wild animal. She stated:

"Being bitten by a wild animal can lead to serious health complications, including rabies—a fatal viral infection if untreated—as well as bacterial infections like tetanus, tularaemia, and rat bite fever. Other risks include viral diseases such as hantavirus and simian retroviruses, parasitic or fungal infections, and venom exposure from snakes or spiders."

"Physical trauma from the bite itself may also require medical attention. Immediate steps include thoroughly cleaning the wound, seeking medical care, and possibly receiving antibiotics, a tetanus booster, or rabies post-exposure prophylaxis. Prompt treatment is essential to prevent severe illness or long-term damage."

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Mzansi reacts to hyena attack warning

@johannswanepoel shared his own experience:

"Dude, these hyenas have been eating out of dustbins for ages when I camped there in 2017 already they've been there only at night obviously, but they've been there for ages, my dude."

@franciscomartins offered practical advice:

"I grew up in the bush, and I always learned that you should park your car as far away from your camping spot as possible and your food as well. It's a way to not get unexpected visitors in your camp."

@davidhancock defended the camping experience:

"We go to Vidal a lot. To be honest, the fact that these animals walk around the camp is one of the main reasons we go there. Just be vigilant, shower before you go to bed, do not keep any food in your tent and keep the tent zipped closed at all times."

@dudleybarrett explained the reality:

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"Clearly, you have never camped at Cape Vidal. They in amongst everyone and everything at night. You walk to the ablution blocks, and they watch you. Bushpigs, Bushbuck and Honey Badgers are always in proximity of the camper."

@klpbtty defended the animals:

"Not the animals' fault, it's their safe space and home."

Watch the Facebook post below:

3 Other stories of dangerous animal encounters

• Briefly News recently reported on a man wrestling with a massive snake that left viewers shocked, but the moment the reptile wrapped itself around his body had everyone questioning his survival instincts.
• In another wild encounter, a young man's calm reaction to being unexpectedly hugged by a lion from behind had Mzansi both terrified and impressed.
• A TikTok video showing a man letting a leopard lick his bald head at a zoo in Belize had viewers in awe, but the predator's behaviour towards him revealed more about their interaction.

Source: Briefly News