Bear attacks two in Tumkur, captured

Two persons were injured when a wild sloth bear attacked them at BG Palya in the town on Tuesday. Hanumesh of Gangavathi and Seebaiah of BG Palya are the injured.

The bear was first spotted atop a house, in the wee hours of Tuesday, when a person was on his way to the mosque to offer prayers.

He immediately informed a journalist friend about sighting the bear. As the news spread, police and mediamen rushed to the spot. By this time, the bear had attacked Hanumesh, who was returning home after work in a flour mill.

He is being treated at the Victoria Hospital in Bangalore. It also attacked Seebaiah and both the injured are said to be out of danger.

Forest officials, who lacked necessary equipment, had a tough time capturing the animal. People had gathered in large numbers to catch a glimpse of the bear, hampering rescue operations. The bear panicked and started jumping from one wall to another, hurting itself in the process. Unable to move further, it settled in a corner.

By 10 am, personnel from the Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP) arrived and shot a dart at the animal. After a seven-hour ordeal, the bear was captured and taken to the BBP.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Raman Gupta and Additional SP Hanumantharaya supervised the operation.