Wild bear attacks elderly villager in Odisha, victim battling for life
Panic gripped Korabandi village under Korei police limits in Jajpur district on Saturday morning after a shocking incident of an alleged bear attack left an elderly man critically injured. The victim has been identified as Lakshman Parida, a resident of the same village.
According to sources, the incident occurred when Parida had gone out early in the morning to relieve himself in the nearby fields. Suddenly, a wild bear emerged from the nearby forest area and attacked him without warning. The elderly man tried to fight off the animal, but the bear mauled him severely, leaving him with deep injuries on his arm and waist.
Hearing his cries for help, several villagers rushed to the spot and managed to scare away the animal by making loud noises. They immediately rescued the injured man and rushed him to the District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) in Jajpur for urgent medical treatment.
Forest officials were informed about the incident and have launched a search operation to track and drive the bear back into the forest. They have also advised villagers to remain cautious and avoid venturing alone into forested areas, especially during early morning and late evening hours.
Incidents of wild animals straying into human habitations have been on the rise in recent months in various parts of Jajpur district, raising serious concerns about human-wildlife conflict in the region.
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