TAIF — The thought of hunting and eating hyena might send shivers down the spine of some, but not Saudis. Considered a unique and scrumptious delicacy, heynas are found in small numbers here but are largely consumed by Saudis. And while people continue to gorge on the beast's meat, they seldom realize that they are on the verge of being extinct. According to a report published in Al-Watan last week, hyenas are on the list of animals threatened with extinction. Ahmad Al-Bouq, director of the Wildlife Research Center in Taif, said: “Hyenas are threatened with extinction in the Kingdom. They are classified among the big beasts of prey, aside from the Arabian tiger and lynx.” The ruling behind eating hyena meat in Islam is permissible. Dr. Saud Bin Mus'id Al-Thubaiti, member of the teaching staff at the faculty of Shariah at Umm Al-Qura University, and a former professor, said that the Prophet (peace be upon him) has forbidden eating the meat of beasts of prey that have canine teeth and birds that have claws. However, he permitted eating hyena meat. Al-Thubaiti further said that hyena meat is halal although it has canine teeth. “Whoever is in the state of consecration Ihram and hunts a hyena will have to slaughter a sheep as a penalty. As for other forbidden animals and birds, there is no penalty if a Muhrim hunts them.” Nasser Al-Thubaiti said he has hunted hyenas several times. After he kills the animal, he immediately removes the viscera from his abdomen. He said that this is usually done by hyena hunters so that the offal does not emit their toxins into the meat and pollute it. Jaber Al-Otaibi said he hunts hyenas when he encounters them during a hunting trip. He presents them as a gift to his friend who eat hyena meat, but he himself has never tasted the meat in his life. Abdulraheem Al-Otaibi said he loves eating hyena meat, as it has a special taste which distinguishes it from other animals. “Hyena meat has a unique taste and has an effect that is stronger than well-known aphrodisiacs.” He said people are disgusted by hyena meat due to the shape of the animal, and the fact that it is carnivorous. On the other hand, Saudi national Ibrahim Al-Otaibihe expressed his disappointment and astonishment at people who eat hyena meat, as it feeds on dead animals. He said that once he attended a dinner party where hyena meat was served, but he didn't take a single bite while others voraciously ate. Meantime, Dr. Mundhir Abdullah, a consultant internist, said there no scientific study has proven that hyena meat is beneficial to man's health, or if it harms anyone. He also said that eating hyena meat does not cure any disease, as some people might believe. However, he advised that it's better to avoid it as it feeds on animal carcasses. Other reasons threatening the extinction of hyena are that some people kill or poison them as they threaten the lives of human beings and livestock.
