Bear attack in Andhra’s Srikakulam: Death toll rises to 3, as one more succumbs

49-year-old Baipilli Duryodhan, who was grievously injured in the bear attack that took place in Yerramukkam village at Sompeta mandal, Srikakulam on June 10, succumbed to his injuries on Monday. 

Duryodhan was availing treatment at the King George Hospital in Visakhapatnam. With this, the death toll has risen to three.

On June 10, a wild bear, reportedly infected with rabies, attacked the villagers--Baipilli Urvasi, her husband Tirupathi Rao, Baipilli Duryodhana and six others.

While Urvasi died on the same day during treatment, her husband succumbed later. The others were rushed to KGH hospital after being administered first-aid from Palasa CHC.

The villagers later chased and killed the animal by attacking it with sticks at Pitali village in Mandasa mandal, according to New Indian Express.

Taking safety precautions, the forest department officials and health staff administered rabies vaccination in the village. 

According to early reports, the bear pounced on Urmila when she went to dump garbage. Hearing her cries, her husband and six others including Duryodhan, tried fighting the bear in a bid to rescue her. However, all their efforts went in vain, as the bear overpowered them and mauled Urmila to death.

Both Tirupathi and Duryodhan suffered critical injuries in the attack.

In a similar attack, a sloth bear had attacked a woman in Nalla Bodduru village of Mandasa Mandal in Srikakulam district on June 21, when she went to collect firewood from the forest. 

She was rescued after locals intervened, following her cries for help and chased the animal away. 

The victim, identified as Boddu Gangamma, was later shifted to hospital. A case had been registered.