Bear Attacks Prompt Investigation in Polonnaruwa

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Department of Wildlife Conservation has launched a comprehensive investigation into a series of alarming incidents involving wild bears in the Polonnaruwa region. 

The inquiry comes in response to reports of wild bears aggressively entering villages and causing disturbances.

Chandana Suriyabandara, the Director General of the Department, emphasized the need to examine various factors, including environmental and meteorological conditions, to understand the root causes of these invasions.

In a recent unsettling event, a bear intruded into a village within the Diyabeduma area of Polonnaruwa, resulting in five individuals sustaining injuries from its bites. 

This incident follows a similar occurrence a week prior, where a bear launched attacks on several villages in the Sigiriya and Habarana areas.

The Director General noted that this pattern of wildlife aggression is not new, citing past reports from Horawapathana and Gomarankadawala.

In a related development, wildlife officers successfully captured a wild bear that had entered Alikimbulawala village.

Unfortunately, the animal passed away after being transported to Girita’s veterinary office.

A post-mortem examination is scheduled to determine the cause of death, with hopes that the findings will shed light on the behavior of the wild boar and prevent future incidents.