A 19-year-old girl was attacked and critically injured by a bear while she was collecting fodder from a field at a village near the Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) in West Champaran district on Friday morning.
The victim, identified as Phoolwanti Kumari, a resident of Sebarahi Barwa village under Goberdhana police station area in Ramnagar block, came under attack when she had gone to collect fodder for livestock on the outskirts of his village.
”A sloth bear attacked the girl in Chiutaha range,” said Nesamani K, conservation and wildlife director, VTR. “Medical help is being extended and that she would be given compensation as per the rule,” he added.
“A bear came out of the sugar field and pounced on her,” said Sibhanti Devi, victim’s mother.
“The animal escaped into the sugarcane field again after the villagers went after the animal following the alarm raised by the victim,” she added.
At Ramnagar Community Health Centre (CHC), Dr Rajesh Kumar, who attended to the victim, said she had suffered grievous injuries on her head and left arm. “After primary treatment, she is being referred to GMCH at Bettiah,” said Dr Kumar.