Jahangeer Ganaie
Shopian, Sep 7: Panic gripped Baskochan and Shadab Karewa belt of Shopian after wild black bears were spotted in the area by locals on Tuesday
Locals from the Baskochan area said some people spotted two black bears in the area on Tuesday morning and accordingly the concerned department was informed.
Locals said that presence of bears have created panic among local residents and requested wildlife authorities to capture the animal at an earliest for the safety of people along with their livestock.
The residents said that they are unable to move outside their residence due to the fear of the bear and requested the department to catch the animal as soon as possible.
Later locals from Shadab Karewa belt of Shopian also said that a bear was spotted by locals in vast maize fields which have caused panic among locals.
Officials within the wildlife department said that a team was rushed to the Baskochan, however, after conducting searches for hours it seems bears had escaped from the spot.
“The team is conducting searches now in the Shadab Karewa area and efforts are on to capture the wild animals,” officials said.
Wild animals have injured several people including wildlife officials this year in Shopian district besides several sheep were also killed.
Two leopards were killed by locals in retaliation after the wild animals attacked them in the area this year.
Moreover dozens of wildlife animals, mainly leopards, were caught by the department in the Shopian district this year.
Pertinently several persons including two minors lost their lives in man animal conflict this year in the valley.
