Rabid bear creates havoc on outskirts of Tumakuru village, dies later

TUMAKURU: A rabies-infected bear went on a rampage at Goudanagere village, Koratagere taluk, startling Forest officials and locals. The animal, however, died before it could be darted.

The bear was first spotted by farmers near farmlands adjacent to the village. Alarmed farmers informed forest department officials. Upon receiving information about the rabid bear, Forest officials rushed to the spot, but the bear chased them, forcing them to flee. To save their lives, the officials sat inside the department vehicle.

The bear, in a fit of rage, tore off the vehicle’s tyre with its claws and mouth. After that, the bear went and lay down in a nearby shed. Later, anaesthesia experts from Bannerghatta forest arrived and administered anaesthesia to capture the bear.

However, the bear had reached the final stage of rabies and died even before the anaesthesia was given. Later, doctors examined the bear and conducted a post-mortem. According to officials the bear had died one hour before it was darted.