Wild bear strays into Mariani residential area

Dibrugarh: A wild Asiatic bear created panic in the Doklongia Dekagaon area of Mariani in Jorhat district after straying into a residential area early Tuesday. The incident prompted a rescue operation by forest officials and wildlife experts that lasted nearly seven hours.

Residents were alarmed when the male bear was spotted around 5.30am, hiding among bamboo trees near the verandah of local resident Mukul Saikia’s home. “We immediately informed the forest department and stayed indoors,” Saikia said. Forest department personnel arrived swiftly and a veterinary team from Kaziranga National Park was called in to assist with the operation.

The joint team tranquilised the bear around 1pm, more than seven hours after it was first sighted. The operation was carried out without injury to the animal or any personnel involved.