The KwaZulu-Natal man who survived a hyena attack at a Cape Vidal campsite has been discharged from hospital and is now recovering at home.
Nicolas Hohls, a 27-year-old farmer from Harburg in uMshwati, was attacked in the early hours of Sunday morning during a weekend gathering with friends and family.
‘I thought about my wife’
Speaking from home after being released from Alberlito Hospital in Ballito on Wednesday, Hohls described the harrowing moment he was mauled by two hyenas.
“I fought for about 45 seconds to a minute, shoving my hands in their eyes, in their throat – basically doing anything I could to make sure that I could get out of there,” he said.
“It sounds so cliché, but you do kind of think about what’s important to you. So, I thought about my wife, and I thought I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself if I left her alone without trying. So I really did try my best to fight as hard as I could so that I could see her again.”
Quick Action by Father Saved His Life
Hohls’s father, Colin, rushed to his son’s aid from a rooftop tent, scaring the animals off and bundling Nicolas into a vehicle to drive to the hospital.
Nicolas sustained head and leg injuries, requiring surgery and multiple stitches. Now home, he says his recovery is going well.
“I have no issues other than I’ve got a limp. My recovery to being back to being able to run around and be active will probably be a month,” he said. “From here on, it’s just making sure my wounds stay clean and don’t get infected.”
Authorities Respond
In a joint statement, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and the iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority said they are taking the incident seriously.
As part of immediate steps to ensure visitor safety, trap cameras will be installed to monitor hyena movements in and around the campsite.
Campers have been urged to secure their tents at night and follow safety protocols, especially in areas where wildlife is known to roam.
Looking Ahead
Despite the trauma, Nicolas Hohls remains optimistic and focused on healing – both physically and emotionally.
“It’s something I’ll carry with me for a long time. But I’m grateful to be here, and I just want to move forward,” he said.
Where does a hyena rank among the list of animals you’d not like to be attacked by?
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