Three weeks have passed since a bear that killed two persons was shot dead at Thothamukkai near Kotagiri. But bears continue to occupy centre stage in Kotagiri and its surroundings albeit for different reasons. While their reported presence off and on near human habitations has raised the fear among the villagers and is keeping forest personnel on their toes, their sightings particularly in some of the relatively undisturbed areas near Kotagiri have become rare photo opportunities for wildlife photographers.
Speaking to The Hindu here on Saturday A. Bhoopathy, Wildlife photographer and member of the Kotagiri Wildlife Association (KWA), said that a female bear with two cubs on its back has of late become a regular visitor to Bird Valley (locally known as Hakkil Hattu) a haunt for nature enthusiasts on the way to Catherine Waterfalls, which is a popular tourist spot. Adverted to as backpacking by wildlife enthusiasts, the practice of bears to move around with their cubs on their back is a very rare sight. He said it was now the season for bears to feed on termites, other insects, honey and lantana flowers.
“Bears continue to occupy centre stage in Kotagiri and surroundings albeit for different reasons”