Cattle farmer injured in bear attack in Kolhapur

Kolhapur: A cattle farmer from Jelugade village in Kolhapur's Chandgad tehsil sustained injuries following a bear attack. The incident took place on Wednesday evening while the 39-year-old farmer was tending to his cattle near a hillock. He received medical treatment at a private healthcare facility in Gadhinglaj town, Kolhapur district.According to reports from Chandgad forest range, Deepak Narvekar, who resides in Jelugade village, was grazing his cattle in the nearby fields on Wednesday evening. He encountered a bear with its cub. The bear suddenly attacked him. Initially confused by the situation, Deepak attempted to defend himself once he recognised the threat. Subsequently, the bear and its offspring retreated into the wilderness. The encounter left Deepak with significant facial and head injuries from the bear's claws.Upon receiving information about the incident, forest officials, including forest guards Netaji Dhamankar and Khandu Kore, alongside forest workers Tukaram Gurav and Shubham Bandekar, promptly arrived at the location. Noting Deepak's injuries, they took him to a private hospital in Gadhinglaj for medical attention.Range forest officer for Patne Range, Shital Patil, said: "Currently, Deepak's condition is stable, and there is no danger to his life. Farmers are advised to be careful while going near the forest areas."