Purunakatak: One person, Lankeswar Barik (48), sustained serious injuries after he was mauled by a bear at Sakusingha village under Purunakatak Forest Range in Boudh district Monday.
Locals rescued and rushed Barik to Purunakatak community health centre (CHC). According to sources, the incident occurred while Barik had gone to attend nature’s call in the forest close to his backyard.
Meanwhile, he came face to face with three bears that had strayed to his backyard in search of food Sunday night. In a bid to save his life, Barik climbed a tree, but one of the carnivores followed him on the tree and bit on his torso and thighs.
Hearing his screams, locals rushed to the spot with sticks and chased the bear away. Luckily, two more bears were just 30 metres away from Barik, but they did not attack him. Had the bears attacked him, Barik would not have survived, locals said.
As Barik belongs to a very poor family, sympathising with him, locals have demanded the administration bear his treatment expenses.
