M F AHMAD
Daltonganj, Nov 16: A sloth bear has severely injured a vulnerable tribal identified as Kamal Sai Nageshia, 40, in Mahuadanr range of the Palmau Tiger Reserve, said the ranger Brinda Pandey.
The sloth bear has scratched and caused deep wounds in nearly half of his head, he said.
The tribal was out in the jungle grazing his cattle when the sloth bear attacked him. He was helpless before the attack.
D S Srivastav, a noted wildlife expert, said the sloth bear attacks head with all might and once bleeding starts it makes the eyes quite hazy giving the bear more chances to pounce upon either hands or thighs.
The Ranger said the victim’s family has been given Rs 5,000 as immediate help which will be enhanced as per his medical need.
The victim was given first aid in Mahuadanr and then was referred to the Sadar hospital Latehar.
The attack of a bear is always sudden and enough to make its victim puzzled enough not to be able to do anything in defence of himself.