​Forest department traps bear strayed into Srisailam

SRISAILAM: A sloth bear, which has strayed into human habitations near Srisailam for the last few days, was finally caught by Forest department officials in the early hours of Friday.

The sloth bear was spotted frequently at Sikhareswaram near Srisailam temple for the last few days. With this, devotees thronging Srisailam were gripped by a panic.

The forest department officials on August 16 arranged a cage to trap the sloth bear in the wake of a six-year-old girl’s death in a suspected leopard attack on Alipiri walkway enroute Tirumala on August 11.

Deputy Director (Forest) Alang Chang Theran alerted the officials and devotees to be cautious in the wake of leopard movement near Srisailam Outer Ring Road at cottages, a site close to the main temple, on August 15.

He advised the drivers of the vehicles to drive slowly while travelling on the ghat road leading to Srisailam as there were chances of several wild animals crossing the road to go to the other side of the forest.