TN forest dept officials trap sloth bear from human habitat, release it into forest

TIRUNELVELI: A seven-year-old sloth bear that strayed out of forest in Kadayam range of Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR) in Tamil Nadu’s Tirunelveli district was trapped and released into the wild on Tuesday morning.
The bear was one from a family of five that has been straying out of the forest for five kilometres off the boundary line and feasting in orchards since January.
Deputy director of Ambasamudram division of KMTR Kommu Omkaram led the operation. Forest range officer for Kadayam range C Nellai Nayagam said, “Three other bears in the family, including two cubs, came close to the trap and skipped entering it. Since the animal was healthy, it was released 27 km away in KMTR at 10.45am.”
Veterinary doctors Manoharan and Sivamuthu and inspector Arnold examined the animal. The animal was reportedly violent after she was trapped. Later, after releasing her into the wild, she had calmed down.
From April 29, this was the fourth bear to be trapped and shifted to the wild by forest department in Kadayam range. Traps have been placed for the remaining seven bears, including three from the family. The department has deployed officials to monitor them.
On June 12, a four-year-old male bear from the same family was trapped by the forest department in a sapota orchard owned by Mehaboob Khan in Mudhaliyarpatti village.
“The female that was caught on Tuesday was in the same trap set in Mehaboob Khan’s orchard. It was trapped in the metal cage using fruits as bait at 4.45 am,” said Nellai Nayagam.