The Nilgiris : An ailing bear that was spotted in a private estate near Sogathorai village in Coonoor died without responding to treatment.
The Nilgiris : An ailing bear that was spotted in a private estate near Sogathorai village in Coonoor died without responding to treatment.
The forest officials conducted a post mortem and burnt the carcass at the same spot. Initial reports say that the female bear could be three years old.
The forest officials suspect, if the bear was poisoned to death. However, the veterenarian said that only after lab reports, the exact reason for the death could be ascertained.
Recently, the farmers in the area complained of increased bear movement in their area. They had been urging the foresters to chase the bears, as they have been damaging the crops, especially fruit bearing trees. In this scenario, the sudden death of the bear has created suspicion.
Commenting on this, a resident of Sogathorai said "Recently, there has been an increase in bear movement in our area. Due to lack of water and fodder in the forests, the bears have started to dwelve into villages and tea estates which has instilled fear amongst people."
He also added that there have been sightings of three bears in Palathottam Village and one of them was found sick and lying in the roads of a private tea estate. "The workers had immediately informed the forest officials. Due to the delay in their arrival, the bear died after suffering for 3 hours", he noted.
Hearing the death of the bear, many people from nearby villages and tea estates thronged the estate to see the dead bear.
The forest officials conducted a post mortem and burnt the carcass at the same spot. Initial reports say that the female bear could be three years old.
The forest officials suspect, if the bear was poisoned to death. However, the veterenarian said that only after lab reports, the exact reason for the death could be ascertained.
Recently, the farmers in the area complained of increased bear movement in their area. They had been urging the foresters to chase the bears, as they have been damaging the crops, especially fruit bearing trees. In this scenario, the sudden death of the bear has created suspicion.
Commenting on this, a resident of Sogathorai said "Recently, there has been an increase in bear movement in our area. Due to lack of water and fodder in the forests, the bears have started to dwelve into villages and tea estates which has instilled fear amongst people."
He also added that there have been sightings of three bears in Palathottam Village and one of them was found sick and lying in the roads of a private tea estate. "The workers had immediately informed the forest officials. Due to the delay in their arrival, the bear died after suffering for 3 hours", he noted.
Hearing the death of the bear, many people from nearby villages and tea estates thronged the estate to see the dead bear.