Woman critically injured in bear attack at McLeodganj
ibune News Service
Dharamsala, May 23
A Himalayan black bear attacked a rag-picker on the Jogibara road in early morning hours today, leaving her critically injured. Sources said this was the second attack by a Himalayan black bear in McLeodganj area, in recent past.
Sanjeev Kumar, DFO, Dharamsala, said he got information regarding the attack in McLeodganj today, in morning. A team of forest officials was sent to the area. It was found that the rag-picker had gone into tree plantations in Jogibara area in the morning, when she was attacked by the bear. The woman was initially taken to the Delek Hospital of the Tibetan government-in-exile, and then to some other hospital by her kin. The forest officials are looking for the woman and she would be compensated, he said.
The DFO said the attack by a Himalayan black bear in summer, near habitations, was a rare incident. Generally, the bears migrate to lower areas in winter, when food gets scarce in higher hills. However, it seemed that due to the lockdown, the reduced movement of people is attracting black bears near habitations.
The area, where the bear attacked the woman, was used by locals to dump food waste. The team of forest officials was trying to spot the bear, which attacked the woman, the DFO said.
The two bear attacks in McLeodganj has caused panic among the residents. Rakesh Kumar, a resident of the area, said it was scary that Himalayan black bears were attacking people in habitation areas.
