Bhubaneswar: A bear that was rescued in a severely injured condition died on Wednesday after being allegedly attacked by a mob with stones and sharp weapons in Malkangiri district. The incident occurred near Daiguda Chhak under the Mathili forest range.
According to reports, the bear was attacked by locals for nearly four hours. It was later rescued in a critical state and brought to the Mathili Forest Office for treatment, where it succumbed to its injuries.
The Forest Department has launched an investigation into the cause of the bear’s death. Malkangiri Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Priyanka Mahuka personally supervised the post-mortem examination and visited the spot.
Mahuka said that once the exact reason behind the attack is ascertained, strict action will be taken against those responsible for the assault on the wild animal.
The Forest Department has appealed to the public to refrain from harming wild animals and to immediately inform forest officials if any wild animal is sighted in human habitats.
