Sloth bear kills four in north Gujarat

Ahmedabad March 14 (IANS) Four persons including a forest official were killed in an attack by a sloth bear in north Gujarat in the last two days officials said on Tuesday.

Forest official R.H. Patni and another unidentified person were injured in a bear attack on Tuesday and were hospitalised. They succumbed to their injuries later.

Forest officials said two cowherds from Kansa village in Danta taluka of Banaskantha district were attacked and killed after they ventured into forest area with their cattle on Monday.

When Bhikhabhai Bhagora 35 and Manabhai Angari aged around 25 did not return till late Monday night villagers went looking for them and found their bodies lying in a ravine.

The Jessore Sloth Bear Wildlife Sanctuary on Gujarat-Rajasthan border is located near Danta.

Spread over an estimated 180 square km this region is a haven for sloth bear. It is also the last important green zone beyond the dry desert area of Rajasthan. So it is also used by locals to graze their cattle.

The officials have laid a trap to capture the sloth bears. Forest officials said sloth bears often venture into human habitat but this is for the first time that four persons have been killed.

--IANS
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