Body of a female baby bear of around 6-8months old was found on Friday morning near the Guhuriamunda pond of Gangasagar village, 7 km from Patnagarh.
According to reports four bears along with mother bear had come to drink water to that pond and due to dehydration and excess temperature, the baby might have died there, said forest officals. The body of the deceased baby bear does not contain any major injury.
Preliminary postmortem report indicates due to sunstroke, it died.
However, the exact cause of death of the bear can be said after getting final report, said officials. The colour of bear is black. The rising temperature makes the bears restless and they come in search of water and fruit /foods.
The body was burnt at the Central nursery, Patnagarh after the post mortem was completed in the presence of a veterinary surgeon and forest range officer, Patnagarh Banmali Sahu and others.
Meanwhile, the rising man animal conflict is a cause of concern in Balangir as any incident related to wild animals sends shockwaves among the locals who have been facing the worst these days in view of wild animals like leopard, sloth bear entering into human habitations.
Animal lovers, conservationists and forest officials too are worried as there is a question on the safety of the animals which are straying in increasing numbers to human settlements.