Bear attacks morning walker in Shivamogga, captured after two-hour operation

SHIVAMOGGA: A morning walker was attacked by a sloth bear at Gopala Gowda Layout here on Wednesday morning. After a two-hour operation, the Forest Department staff were able to transquilise the animal and capture it. The bear, aged about eight years, was later released into the Shettyhalli forest.

The bear was chased by dogs and attacked Tukaram Shetty.

The victim, Tukaram Shetty, said the bear was being chased by street dogs near DVG Park. “In its bid to escape from the dogs, the bear pounced on me and scratched me in the abdomen”. The bear then hid in the bushes on a vacant site among houses near the park.

The vacant site where the bear was hiding.

The Forest Department officials, who were informed, cordoned off the area, where a large crowd had gathered, spread a net around the place where the bear was hiding and darted with tranquiliser. They then captured the bear amid cheers from the crowd.

The bear was captured after it was tranquilised.

The operation was led by Deputy Range Forest Officer Shivashankar. After a medical examination, the bear was released in the Shettyhalli forest.