Man Recounts 'Fight for Survival' Amidst Hyena Pack Attack

A South African man who was attacked by a pair of hyenas at his friend’s bachelor party spoke to People about his “fight to survive.”

Nicolas Hohls Used Quick Thinking

Twenty-seven-year-old Nicolas Hohls, of South Africa, was attending his pal’s bachelor party at Strydgewon Farm in Harburg, KwaZulu-Natal, which rests within the Cape Vidal Nature Reserve in St. Lucia. Hohls was familiar with the area, having vacationed there since he was a young boy, and so enjoyed the day before the party fishing and drinking beers with his friends and his father, who was along for the party.

Around 12:30 p.m. local time the following day, Aug. 30, Hohls was sleeping inside the event tent intended for the party when two hyenas entered through a flap left unzipped for ventilation. "One went for my leg and the other for my face and head,” Hohls recalled. “I fought them off by ripping my face and ankle free, then attacking the eyes of one and forcing my hand down the throat of the other," he explained of the harrowing incident.

"I had been asleep…when I realized what was happening, it was pure instinct. I knew I had to fight to survive,” he said. “I reacted immediately. I ripped myself free and went straight for their weak points—the eyes and throat. It was all instinct and adrenaline." Hohls said the “fight lasted about 60 seconds,” adding that it was “one minute of hell.”

Hohls Found "in a Pool of Blood" by Father

The commotion woke Hohls’ father, who was sleeping on the floor above his son. "My dad jumped into action immediately. He found me in a pool of blood in my tent, put me in the car, and drove me straight to Ballito hospital," he recalled. "I’ve camped at Vidal before without problems. That night I left a small gap for ventilation. If the hyenas wanted to get in, they would have found a way regardless, and that’s exactly what happened,” Hohls reconciled, adding that he secured the tent exactly "the same way" he "had done many times before." 

Hohls is now in a local hospital recovering, which doctors say will take “about a month.” "I’ve had about 30 stitches in my head, hand, and cheek. My left ankle and right thigh also have deep puncture wounds, but thankfully, no bones were broken," he explained.

However, despite the unfortunate circumstances, Hohls’ prognosis is positive. "I’m doing a lot better…The doctors are happy with my progress, and there’s been no sign of infection," he said. "For now, it’s about rest and allowing my body to heal properly," he explained, adding that he’s "very grateful to be alive" and "had the strength to fight back" in his moment of crisis.