Pavagada (Tumakuru district): A terrifying incident occurred late Wednesday night when three bears attacked a farmer near Karemmana Palya village in Pavagada taluk. The victim, identified as Eeranna, was returning home around 10:30 p.m. after switching on a borewell pump in his field when the animals attacked him.
According to local residents, Eeranna had stopped briefly to relieve himself when the bears a mother bear accompanied by two cubs appeared suddenly from nearby bushes. The mother bear, apparently agitated and protective of her cubs, pounced on the farmer, inflicting severe injuries on his shoulder and head.
Hearing his screams, another villager, Gopala, and others rushed to the spot and threw stones at the bears, forcing them to retreat into the nearby forest with their cubs.
Eeranna was immediately taken to the Pavagada Government Hospital for first aid and later shifted to the Tumakuru District Hospital for advanced treatment. His condition is reported to be stable.
Speaking to reporters, Gopala said, “Bears have been frequently entering our village at night from the nearby Muddanabetta hill. If the forest department installs fencing around the hill area, it will prevent such incidents. We have received some support from the department, but stronger measures are needed.”
A forest department officer confirmed that this was the third bear attack reported in the area this year. He cautioned villagers to avoid venturing alone at night and to make noise while walking in farmlands to alert animals. “Mother bears become aggressive when cubs are around. Do not throw stones or provoke them. If sightings increase, contact the forest department immediately. Our helplines are active 24×7 across all panchayats,” the official said.
The department has assured increased monitoring and awareness campaigns to prevent further human-wildlife conflicts in the region.
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