Even as forest personnel are in search of a stray bear that was spotted near Moolaikkaraipatti in the district last Saturday, a male sloth bear that was creating panic among farmers after it strayed into the farmlands close to the Western Ghats near Kalakkad was caged in the early hours on Thursday.
The animal, which reportedly sustained injuries in a bid to escape from the cage, was released in the Sengaltheri area of Kalakkad Division of Kalakkad–Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve by noon.
The bear, reportedly from the Western Ghats, had entered the farm in search of food and water a couple of weeks ago and remained in the orchards close to Kalakkad. On noticing the movement of the animal, a farmer, Ramesh of Pillaikulam, filed a complaint with forest officials.
After securing permission from the field director, KMTR, A. Venkatesh, the officials placed a cage in the farm. The bear was caged around 3 a.m. at Pillaikulam.
The three-year-old animal had a bleeding injury on its snout and thighs, which it might have sustained while trying to escape from the steel enclosure.
A villager alleged that the forest personnel took it to the Sengaltheri area to free it without treating it.
However, forest authorities said an antiseptic cream was applied on the injury though the bear was aggressive.
The animal apparently sustained injuries on its snout and thighs while trying to escape from the enclosure
