Dhenkanal: An elderly farmer was mauled to death by a bear at Kankili Chemargadi reserve forest under Muktaposhi forest section of Kamakhyanagar western range in Dhenkanal forest division early Sunday morning.
The deceased has been identified as Jatra Sahu of Basoi village under Parajang police limits.
While the incident occurred Saturday, the matter came to the fore after locals spotted his body Sunday.
According to sources, Sahu is a goat rearer and had gone to collect leaves for his goats when the incident occurred. He came face to face with a bear that pounced on him and mauled him to death.
Family members grew apprehensive after he did not return home till late in the evening. Family members searched for him, but there was no clue of his whereabouts. Later, locals spotted the body with severe wounds from the bear in the forest and alerted the cops and family members.
On receipt of information, police and forest department officials reached the village and launched a probe. The body was seized and sent for autopsy.
Kamakhyanagar western ranger Bibhudanand Mishra provided a compensation of Rs 40,000 to the bereaved family and assured to pay the remaining Rs 3,60,000 after necessary paper works as per government norms.
PNN