JUMLA, September 7: The conflict between humans and bears in Jumla has become a great threat to the existence of these endangered species. A year ago, a baby Himalayan black bear that entered the human settlement was harshly chased away by the locals. Recently, another such bear was found dead in Patarashi Rural Municipality-3.
Officials of the District Forest Office (DFO), Jumla said that the bear was killed by the locals. Chief District Officer (CDO) Mohan Shrestha informed that the bear was killed after injuring two of the villagers. The gall bladder and legs of the bear was missing as they are of great monetary value, informed CDO Shrestha.
Black is bold
Dr Roshan Karmacharya of the District Livestock Service Office (DLSO) and a technical team of District Livestock Development Office(DLDO) led by its chief Gyanendra Buda Thapa had conducted a postmortem of the bear. The dead body of the bear was later buried on the premises of the DFO.
Staff of DFO had to carry the heavy bear for four hours from Patarashi to Lum. After that, a tractor was brought to carry it to the district headquarters.
After the postmortem, it was revealed that the bear was shot by two bullets. Dr Karmacharya who was involved in the post-mortem informed that the bear had several injuries on its body. The bear weighed about 250 kg.
CDO Shrestha informed that the habitat of bears has been at great risk in the recent years.
“Bear was killed by local herders and farmers in retaliation against predating on their livestock,” said Deputy Superintendent of Police Tapan Kumar Dahal of the District Police Office.
Lack of awareness among people about the ecological importance of the rare animal has been a great threat to the bears of Jumla. According to CDO Shrestha, the DFO will conduct awareness programs in various villages of the district so that no bear will have to lose its life due to human attacks.
