Two persons were mauled to death by wild bear in Odgi forest range in Surajpur district while two others were injured in the attack officials informed here on Sunday.
The victims were identified as Lalji and Ram Prasad both residents of Dharseri village who had taken their cattle for grazing in a nearby jungle area.
“On late Saturday evening a wild bear had come out of jungle and was sitting near a nullah in field close to the jungle. Ram Prasad saw the bear and tried to drive it away. Intimidated by Ram Prasad, the bear attacked him,” a local forest official said while adding, Lalji was killed in a bid to rescue Ram Prasad.
Listening screams, other villagers came to the rescue in which two others were injured. However, Lalji and Ram Prasad were not saved alive.
Injured were admitted to a local hospital and were discharged later on, the official added. Forest department has provided immediate financial assistance of Rs 25,000 to the family members of both the deceased persons.
