A number of hyenas have been spotted on the outskirts of Nabi Sheet, Al Khader, Hurtala, Brital and Al Taybeh. (Credit: @Acurense_)
BEIRUT — The accumulation of snow in Lebanon’s mountains has pushed hyenas towards populated areas in the Bekaa.
Amid the storm, hyenas are “invading” some Bekaa villages, our correspondent in the region, Sarah Abdallah, reported Thursday.
A number of hyenas have been spotted on the outskirts of Nabi Sheet, Al Khader, Hurtala, Brital and Al Taybeh.
The Environmental Gathering Association in Rashaya District has advised locals to avoid direct contact with the wild animals, not try to feed them directly, keep pets away from them and notify the authorities of any sightings.
The striped hyena is Lebanon’s national animal. It is illegal to kill them, but they are often shot, either by hunters or people who are afraid of them. The number of wild hyenas in Lebanon is “likely to be in the low hundreds,” according to the New York Times.