BENGALURU: The wildlife SOS team from Bannerghatta Bear Rescue Centre and forest department officials rescued a sloth bear trapped in a poacher's snare near Koratagere village, Madhugirirange, Tumakuru district.
After getting an emergency call from the range forest officer (RFO) of the Tumakuru division, a six-member rescue team led by Dr Arun A Sha along with RFO Chinnapparushed to the spot. The team exercised caution while cutting the crude-wire snare to ensure no harm is caused to the traumatized bear. After a two-hour operation, they were able to rescue and release the animal back into its natural habitat.
"It was a 4-5 years old female bear. We think it may have been trapped for nearly 15 hours. The snare was made of a modified clutch wire, reinforced with a fence wire intertwined around the bear's waist. We had to immobilize the animal before cutting the snare. We conducted a medical assessment of the animal," sais Sha, director, wildlife veterinary operations.
"We received a call from villagers who were shocked to discover the bear caught in such a trap. After it received treatment for its minor wound, we thought it would be best to release it in the neighbouringThimmalapura State Reserve Forest. We are trying our best to track down the poachers," said Chinnappa.
Over the years, the population of sloth bears has been threatened due to loss of habitat and poaching, making them a vulnerable species.
