A dangerous female bear, responsible for a severe attack on a woman in November, was finally tranquilised and captured in the Pokhri area of Chamoli district on Saturday. The successful operation by a joint wildlife rescue team from Dehradun and Chamoli brings an end to a search that lasted over a month, providing immense relief to local residents.
The Attack and the Harrowing Survival
The incident traces back to November 19, when the bear attacked Rameshwari Devi, aged 42, in the Pokhri area. The mauling left her gravely injured. In a testament to human resilience, the woman survived nearly 24 hours in the freezing forest conditions before rescue teams could locate her. She was subsequently airlifted to AIIMS Rishikesh for urgent medical treatment, as confirmed by officials.
The Challenging Rescue Operation
Forest department personnel tracked the animal for three consecutive nights across steep and difficult terrain. The operation culminated on Saturday with the bear being successfully sedated with a single dart. Dr. Pradeep Mishra, a veterinary doctor from Doon Zoo who led the effort, detailed the complexities involved.
"The task was challenging as the bear was active only between sunset and sunrise," Dr. Mishra said. He highlighted the uneven and steep terrain, poor visibility, and intense cold that the team had to contend with. The animal's erratic movements further complicated the mission. The doctor noted that the operation successfully dispelled the common belief that bears require multiple dart shots, as this one was subdued with a single, precise shot.
Outcome and Rising Human-Bear Conflicts
Divisional Forest Officer (Chamoli) Sarvesh Dubey stated that the female bear, estimated to be six to seven years old, is being shifted to the Dehradun zoo. "The animal will undergo preliminary medical examinations, following which a decision will be taken on further action," he explained.
Officials confirmed that this is the first bear to be trapped in Chamoli this year. The Pokhri area has been witnessing a noticeable rise in human-bear encounters in recent times, making this capture crucial for community safety. In related wildlife news from Uttarakhand this week, a bear cub was rescued in Uttarkashi, and another bear was found dead in Chamoli on Wednesday.
The successful conclusion of this arduous operation has finally brought a sense of security back to the villagers of Pokhri, ending a tense chapter of fear and uncertainty.
