Man Attacked by Hyenas at Bachelor Party Says His Dad Found Him in ‘Pool of Blood’: ‘Had to Fight to Survive’

A man in South Africa is speaking out after having to “fight to survive” when he was attacked by two hyenas during a bachelor party at a nature reserve.

On Saturday, Aug. 30, Nicolas Hohls, 27, from Strydgewon Farm in Harburg, KwaZulu-Natal, arrived at Cape Vidal Nature Reserve in St. Lucia, South Africa — a place he had been visiting since he was six — just before noon with his dad, Colin, ready for the celebrations.

Hohls and his friends spent the day fishing and later had some food and a few beers. They went to sleep around 1 a.m., tired from the week’s work.

About 30 minutes later, he says, two hyenas attacked him after one entered his tent through a 6-inch gap he had left unzipped for ventilation.

One hyena clamped onto his cheek and skull, while the other bit his left ankle.

“One went for my leg and the other for my face and head. 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,” Hohls told PEOPLE.

“I had been asleep…when I realized what was happening, it was pure instinct. I knew I had to fight to survive,” he added. “I reacted immediately. I ripped myself free and went straight for their weak points — the eyes and throat. It was all instinct and adrenaline.”

Hohl’s screams woke his dad, who was in the rooftop tent above him.

“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,” Hohls said.

Hohls insisted he had zipped up his tent “the same way” he had done before.

“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,” he said.

He said the “fight lasted about 60 seconds” and described it as “one minute of hell” in a piece he shared with PEOPLE.

Hohls is now focused on recovery. Doctors told him it will take “about a month” to fully heal.

“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 said.

“I’m doing a lot better… The doctors are happy with my progress, and there’s been no sign of infection. For now, it’s about rest and allowing my body to heal properly,” Hohls added. He said he is “very grateful to be alive” and thankful he “had the strength to fight back.”