Visakhapatnam/ Srikakulam : Bear caught finally, but dies

Visakhapatnam/ Srikakulam : The wild bear which went berserk killing a person and injured many people, died after being caught by forest officials on Tuesday. Forest officials succeeded in catching the bear after sedating it by firing a tranquiliser shot in Kidisingi village under Vajrapukotturu mandal.

The rescue team of Indira Gandhi Zoological Park, Visakhapatnam along with the veterinarian staff of Vizag Zoo headed to Srikakulam to carry out rescue operation of sloth bear that entered into the village of Vajrapukotturu, three days ago.

The animal was observed and brought to the IGZP by 5 pm on Tuesday and there was no movement seen during the tranquilisation and post antidote administration.

However, on arrival at IGZP, it was found that the animal was already dead following which the post mortem was carried out at the zoo veterinary hospital. The cause of the death was ascertained to be the internal injuries and internal bleeding leading to shock and causing death of the animal.

The adult female animal aged around 10-12 years was found lying under a shelter and was tranquilised in the morning to rescue it as per the protocol under the guidance of local forest officials.

The operation to catch the bear was launched on Monday after six people were injured in the attack by the wild animal, which was believed to have strayed into human habitation in search of food and water.

Earlier, on Sunday, a man was killed in the attack by the bear near cashew orchards. K Kodanda Rao (72) died while undergoing treatment.

The condition of four of those injured in Monday's attack is stated to be critical. They were admitted to Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) at Srikakulam.