Bear strays into BSNL office

Karimnagar: A fully-grown sloth bear that strayed into the heart of the city triggered panic among the denizens on Thursday. Although the bear was sighted for the first time on Thursday, the forest officials say that it has been a regular visitor to a nearby place where jaggery, fruits and other eatables have been available aplenty.

Early this morning, a passerby spotted the bear, which supposedly overstayed after having its bellyful. It ran into BSNL office for a cover after the passerby raised a clamour. Receiving the information, the DFO Karimnagar Srinivas, along with his staff rushed to the spot and with the help of police they he cordoned off the area.

A rescue team of the forest department in Warangal was pressed into the service to nab the animal. The rescue team shot the sloth bear with a tranquiliser dart to incapacitate it. Before the tranquiliser dart started working, the bear climbed a nearby tree trying to escape. However, the rescue team which was ready with a net caught hold of the bear when it fell off the tree.

Later, the team put the bear into animal cage. After the rescue team doctor found the bear is in good health, the forest officials released into Rally Beat under Luxettipet Range forest, 120 kms from Karimnagar.

Speaking to The Hans India, FRO P Punnam Chandar said: “We noticed that the bear has been a regular to the place in the nights. However, it overstayed today and was noticed by the locals. Due to rampant quarrying in the nearby places, the animal might have habituated to stray into the city. Moreover, once the bears taste the sweets and salty foods, they try to venture into habitations in search of such food.”