Johannesburg - A hyena locked its jaws onto a teenager’s face, breaking facial bones and dragging him out of his tent at the Kruger National Park early on Sunday, according to reports.
The 15-year-old was in a serious condition on Monday after the attack, officials said.
The boy was sleeping alone in a separate compartment of his family's tent when the hyena set on him early on Sunday, South African National Parks (SANParks) spokesman William Mabasa told AFP.
The attack occurred around 4.30am on Sunday.
“The animal attacked him on his face,” Mabasa said “He screamed and his parents woke up.
“Fortunately a nurse was there, as well as one of our guides.”
After being treated at a local hospital, he was flown to Johannesburg for emergency plastic and reconstructive surgery to his mouth and jaw. Local media described his condition as serious.
The hyena, which escaped, is thought to have entered the campsite through a hole in the fence.
Mabasa said the animal was likely looking for food.
“People must be aware at all times that there are wild animals around them and they must make sure that their tents are properly closed,” he said.
In July last year, a safari guide survived a leopard attack while viewing wildlife with tourists in Kruger Park.
Just a month earlier, a 22-year-old American tourist died after she was mauled by a lion which leapt through an open car window in a park outside Johannesburg.
AFP