Advertisement
In a devastating incident, two individuals lost their lives while another sustained severe injuries in a bear attack while working in a cashew garden at Anakapalli village in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh. The attack occurred within the Kasibugga range of the Srikakulam Forest Division.
Srikakulam District Forest Officer (DFO), Nisha Kumari, confirmed the unfortunate incident, highlighting the lethal encounter with a sloth bear within the forested area. The injured person has been urgently transported to the government hospital in Palasa for medical treatment.
Kumari assured that compensation will be provided to the families of the deceased and the injured individual, along with covering medical expenses in accordance with established norms.
The Forest Department has been actively engaging in initiatives to mitigate human-animal conflicts by raising awareness among villagers, advising caution in areas frequented by sloth bears. Additionally, a specialized team, overseen by a sub-divisional forest officer, is set to monitor sloth bear movements diligently.
This tragic event follows a similar bear attack on February 1, where four individuals were injured in Vajrapukotturu village. In that instance, a female bear with cubs launched an assault before retreating into a cashew orchard.
