SRIVILLIPUTTUR
Three wild bears attacked a 40-year-old devotee, P. Thangavel of Thoothukudi, near the foothills of Sathuragiri hills at Thaniparai near here in the early hours of Sunday. He has been admitted to Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai with bleeding injuries on his face and left thigh.
The victim, along with a friend, was climbing down from Sundara Mahalingam Temple on the hills when he was attacked by three bears near Pillaiyar temple near Thaniparai at around 4 a.m., said P. Muhammed Shabab, Wildlife Warden, Srivilliputtur Grizzled Squirrel Sanctuary.
The victim was rushed to Watrap Government Hospital where he was administered first aid. Later, he was referred to the GRH in Madurai. “He had deep injuries on his forehead, root of the nose and left thigh. It looks like his eyes are not affected in the attack,” Chief Medical Officer of Watrap GH M. Rajendran said.
The victim had climbed up the hills to offer prayers in connection with pournami festival on Saturday.
“Trekking through the hilly terrain has been banned after 6 p.m. The devotee had violated the rule and started climbing down around 3 a.m. When he came to the particular spot under darkness, the bears that came very close to him started attacking him,” Mr. Shabab said.
The Wildlife Warden said an intensive awareness campaign would be organised to sensitise the devotees to the need to stick to the permitted timings while climbing up and down the hills.
