SRINAGAR: Wildlife officials are busy scanning Jawahar Nagar belt after a bear and her cub left one person injured early Sunday morning, official sources said.
The person, a watchman of a private school, was mauled by the bear following which the search operation was launched. The operation is in progress for many hours now, but the animal is yet to be traced and caught. The injured was identified as Fayaz Ahmad Bhat, son of Late Mohd Shafi Bhat, a resident of Habba Kadal. Recovering in SMHS Hospital, Bhat has injuries on the right side of his face and both arms.
“The wildlife has a natural corridor, the flood spill channel and they are using it routinely from the Basdamibagh side,” Rashid Naqash, Regional Wildlife Warden said. “Garbage is the chief attraction, and they usually get late into the area and leave during the night but today one cub has been left behind.”
Naqaqsh said there is physical and electronic evidence suggesting that the bear is roaming in the area. The belt is hugely dense and the people, he said, must take precautions till the animal is traced and taken out of the area.
The movement of the bear has been captured at multiple CCTVs and the team is busy locating the animal. A senior officer is supervising the operation.
Surrounded by the Zabvarwan range, Srinagar has countless corridors for the wildlife to get into the city mostly between Baatwara-Gupkar and Theed areas. Earlier, a leopard was caught in Lal Bazar belt, a few years back.
Wildlife officials said the people in the Rajbag and Jawahar Nagar belts should stay cautious till the operation is over. The team has already scanned the Lal Mandi belt and is now looking for other areas in the Jawahar Nagar. Lal Mandi is connected with the Rajbagh area.
“One Wild Bear & a small Cub are roaming in Rajbagh locality of Srinagar. Wildlife officials & Police are on the job,” police had tweeted during the day. “Citizens of this & nearby areas are advised to remain indoors till it is caught. If anyone notices/sees the bear, pls inform at SHO Rajbagh’s number 7006572050.”
(Photograph used in this report is not directly linked to the incidents)
