Bhubaneswar: The sloth bear that was tranquilised near Pharsaguda under Kodinga GP of Nabarangpur district on Wednesday died today triggering doubts over the darting procedures used by the forest officials.
The bear, which is suspected to have died due to an overdose of tranquiliser, was under supervision of the forest officials for the last two days. Although the officials have not come out with an explanation, the sudden death of the animal has raised doubts among wildlife lovers.
Earlier on Wednesday, the officials had rushed to Pharsaguda after being informed that a wild bear had mauled a man.They were told that locals as well as the family of deceased Prabhu Bhatra was unable to recover his body as the wild animal did not budge from the spot.
Bhatra, a truck driver of Daleiguda in Papadahandi block had got down from his two wheeler to attend nature's call when he was suddenly attacked by the sloth bear leading to his death on the spot.
Later, Nabaragpur Forest Division officials had to tranquilise the bear in order to recover the body. The unconscious animal was then shifted to the forest office premises where it died today.
Image source: Reuters/Siegfried Modola