JOIN USA farmer died on the spot and another was injured in a bear attack at Hiresadarahalli in Kanakatte hobli in the taluk on Tuesday morning.
The deceased has been identified as Shekharappa (58). The injured, Kalleshappa (70), has been admitted to government hospital in Arsikere, police said.
At around 10 am, Shekharappa and Kalleshappa were on their way to a farm, when a female bear, hiding in a roadside bush with its two cubs, attacked the duo, the police said. The mother bear attacked Shekharappa and gouged his eyes out and severely injured his head and chest. He died on the spot due to excessive bleeding, they added.
“However, I was attacked by two young bears,” said Kalleshappa. Several people have fallen prey to bear attacks, which have increased in the taluk, but this is the first time that a man was killed, said the villagers.
Bears from Hirekal hills are often found near human settlements. They attack people when they stray close to them. However, the Forest Department officials have not taken any action in this regard, the villagers added.
Rs 2L compensation
District Conservator of Forest Ganesh Bhat, who visited the spot, gave a cheque for Rs two lakh to Shekharappa’s family. He said that an additional Rs three lakh would be given after the post-mortem report.