MUIRHEAD'S MYSTERIES: Hyaenas in Hong Kong

In the last few weeks I have found two new (to me at least) reports of “hyenas” in Hong Kong, which makes three records altogether if the folklore of hyenas found in the Walled City in Kowloon is to be believed, this slum being knocked down about 20 years ago. According to a web site, the hyena existed in China about 11,000 years ago.

The China Mail of September 26^th 1883 reported:

“For more than a month past, some large beast of prey, supposed to be either a panther or a hyena has been occasionally seen by Chinamen on the hillside above Robinson Road and in other localities and on one occasion recently an attempt was made to kill the creature with bamboos , but it escaped unhurt. Last Monday night this unwelcome visitor paid a visit to the back premises of Mr Stephen`s house, Rocklands and did terrible execution amongst a herd of goats belonging to Mr Stephens , killing eight and carrying one kid away altogether. Arrangements are being made to give the animal a warm reception if it re-visits the same spot, and we hope soon to hear of its death or capture (1)

Tytam Tiger   The Hong Kong Telegraph November  2^nd 1892

THE TYTAM TYGER

STANLEY VILLAGE IN A STATE OF SIEGE

OUR OFFICE `GOAT` ON THE TRACK

For the past few days a wild beast of some kind has been devastating the country about Stanley and Tytam, sneaking chickens, eating bacon alive, and even attacking children.No authentic description of the monster is yet to hand ,but it is variously described as a wolf, a tiger, a fiery flaming dragon, a panther, a tiger-cat, and even a wild pig. The only thing certain about it is that it has big teeth, big enough to nearly kill a child. The little girl who was bitten on Saturday is doing very well over at the Hospital, though hardly quite out of danger yet.

The villagers in that region were terribly afraid (?). Last year Inspector Mann shot an awful monster of this sort near Shau-ki-wan and after the brute was dead it was discovered to be a stray dog. During life this `wonk` had figured as a panther, leopard, tiger and (if we remember rightly) the Daily Press called it a hyena. No wonder the poor thing came to tender hearted Mann and asked to be killed.

Lately there have been reports of tigers in Macao, and if a few of them were to swim from Macao to Hong Kong they would no doubt be…(2) . “ And here sadly the text goes on to the following page which unfortunately I`ve been unable to find on the data base. However, two things are clear.The incredulity of the English media in Hong Kong at the time to believe in the possibility of tigers in Hong Kong and the inclusion of beasts never officially recorded in Hong Kong such as wolves and hyenas. Else I`ve found the odd reference to cheetahs.  

1. The China Mail   September 26^th 1883

2. The Hong Kong Telegraph November 2^nd 1892