By The Hindu Bureau
A sloth bear mauled a forest watcher at Dasarladoddi base camp in Chintarajupalli beat of Rajampeta division of Annamayya district on Friday (July 4).
The injured, identified as Bodde Venkataiah, was among a five-member forest protection team posted at the base camp. A senior forest official said a bear pounced on Venkataiah and mauled him. On hearing his cries, other members of the team on the patrol in the vicinity of the base camp rushed to his rescue and chased away the animal.
The forest watcher was rushed to the area hospital in Rajampeta, and his condition is said to be stable. Given the incident, the forest officials alerted the field staff to be alert and avoid moving alone in the forests during the patrol.