Hyenas blamed for 2 deaths in Ethiopia

Two deaths this week in Ethiopia were blamed on attacks by hyenas, police said.

Both deaths occurred in the eastern part of the country, Sky News reported. One man was killed Thursday. In the other case, the mangled remains of a university student were found three days after he was reported missing.

Only the front parts of the man's teeth, a portion of his skull and ripped shreds of clothing were found, a police spokesman said.

Hyenas grow to be no more than 4 feet long. But their jaws are so strong that they can crush elephant bones.

Reported attacks by hyenas have been increasing in Africa in recent years. Experts say they are most likely in September, when bush fires disrupt the animals' hunting.