Villagers scare bear cub, remains on tree for 4 hours

It all began at 5.30 am when a few people, on their way to the fields, heard the sound of a bear in the farm of Sabapathy. On seeing the bear, people raised an alarm and frightened cub climbed up a coconut tree and clung on to the top. The news soon spread in the village, and most of the residents thronged the farm to get a glimpse of the bear on the top of the tree. Since the bear did not not come down fearing attack, officials of the Forest Department were informed and they too rushed to the spot. 

They initially burst crackers, but the bear remained unmoved. Other attempts such as burning tyres and disturbing the bear with a stick from adjacent trees also turned futile. Later a farmer, Boodhapandi, climbed the adjacent tree with a stick lit on one end and threatened bear. Fearing fire, bear started climbing down and the gathering was asked to make way for the animal. Men attached to Forest Department chased the bear into the forest. A forest guard present at the spot claimed the bear was clinging onto the tree only out of fear. Farmer Boodhapandi claimed that the frequency of bears visiting villages has increased of late and the main reason for the visit was in search of food. 

“If fruit trees are planted in the area, bears would come down the hill and enter the farmlands to destroy the crop. “If farmers take steps to prevent bears and other wild animals from entering the fields action is taken by the Forest Department on the farmers. So, a permanent solution should be provided by the Forest Department,” demanded Boodhapandi.