Man-animal conflict: Srikakulam villages live under threat of bear attacks

Srikakulam: Sloth bear attacks on humans are creating panic among villagers in the Srikakulam district. A day after a 72-year-old man died from a bear attack, eight were severely injured after being attacked by a bear in Kidisingi village under Vajrapukothuru mandal in the Srikakulam district. Among the injured, six had severe bruises on their bodies and were immediately shifted to Srikakulam RIMS for better treatment.

This is not the first such incident reported. Bear attacks have been frequent in Srikakulam in the last three years. In one incident that happened in June 2018, a couple was killed and seven persons were injured when a wild bear attacked the villagers of Yerramukkam in Sompeta mandal. People of Yerramukkam and Gedduru villages later chased the animal and killed it.

Man killed by bear

On 19 June 2022, a 72-year-old man was killed after being attacked by a sloth bear in the Kidisingi village under Vajrapukothuru mandal in Srikakulam. The bear attacked Kalamata Kodanda Rao while he was on his way to a farm in the village. The police informed the forest department officials who arrived at the spot to catch the bear.

What the villagers say

According to the villagers, bears have been creating panic among the villagers who go to the fields in the mornings. They alleged that forest officials have not responded despite repeated complaints. They demanded the officials catch the bear and release it in the forest area.

What the forest officials say

According to the forest range officer (FRO) of Kasibugga, Murali Krishna, "There is no possibility of catching the bear, but we are taking necessary precautions. We are asking the villages to go to the fields in groups and not alone."