Two wildlife employees injured in rescue operation

PAMPORE: A black bear was captured alive by wildlife department in a residential area at Khrew area of Pampore in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Tuesday.
During capturing two wildlife employees of Range Khrew also received injuries, officials said.
Officials in the department of wildlife told Kashmir Reader that people in Khrew area of Pampore informed that a back bear created panic among the local population in Khrew villages.
After receiving the information the Wildlife department visited the area and captured the black bear alive, Ranger Officer Khursheed Ahmad told Kashmir Reader.
The locals of the area heaved a sigh of relief after the wild animal was captured, he said.
He told Kashmir Reader that on wee hours on Tuesday morning he received a call from Iqbal Colony Khrew that a bear has been spotted in the courtyard of a resident near a kitchen
“Our team rushed the spot with tranquiliser guns and cages and tranquilised the bear,” he said, adding that two employees were injured while rescuing the wild animal after they came under the cage.
The injured employees were identified as Adil Ahmad Dar and a casual labour who were given first aid at the spot. The bear was later released in Dachigam upper forests of Srinagar.
Ghulam Mohi Ud-Din Wani, a resident of Iqbal Colony Khrew told Kashmir Reader that his wife spotted the bear in their courtyard after she noticed some strange voices.
He said that they peeped through the window and found the bear roaming in the courtyard.
“We informed wildlife officials who came in no time and tranquilized the bear,”
Adding that her wife had a narrow escape as the bear attempted to jump into the kitchen smashing a window pane,” he said.

BILAL HABIB