A wild bear, which was found entangled in a trap laid by suspected poachers in Kathagochhi village in Baleswar district here on Friday morning, was rescued by the Nilgiri Wildlife personnel after an hour’s effort.
With the help of expert traquillisers, the bear was rescued from the trap under supervision of Dr Piyush Soren and Dr Hamid from Baripada. The animal was later released into deep forest area of the Kuldhia Sanctuary, informed Nilgiri Range Officer Sukumar Das. The condition of the bear was normal, he said.
The expert tranquilisers of STR carried out the operation, Das said, adding that an investigation has been started to identify the poachers who had laid the trap.
On October 26, a bear which fell in a trap in Naikulia village under Jamudiha GP of Nilgiri was rescued by orest Department officials and was later released into the Kuldhia Sanctuary.
Locals said that the Nilgiri is known as bear infested patch of the district but these incidences occurring repeatedly in Nilgiri poses worry for the environment lovers.
They also said bears and other wild animals at times stray into human habitation inadvertently or in search of foods but the poachers lay traps for wrong reasons.
The department should take preventive measures for poaching and take stringent action against them, locals added.