SRINAGAR: People in the civil lines area can heave a sigh of relief after wildlife authorities successfully completed the 21-hour-long operation against the black bear and her cub.
“We have successfully completed the operation. This area is now safe. People can move around. Students can go to school now. This was one of the most difficult operations that I have seen in my career. It would not have been possible without the support of the wildlife field team, SHO Raj Bagh, locals, CRPF, and others,” said Altaf Hussain, Wildlife Warden, Srinagar.
Fear had gripped people in Jawahar Nagar after a black bear and her cub were spotted in the area on Sunday morning. The mother and her cub were also caught on the CCTV camera. In the video, the full-grown black bear and a cub could be seen walking past the parked cars on the road.
Panic, stricken locals called up the wildlife authorities who rushed the team to locate the bear’s mother and her cub.
“We got a call at 6 am on September 11. It was confirmed news,” said Altaf.
A local was injured when a black bear attacked him in Lal Mandi area. Wildlife authorities had asked people to stay indoors. Presentation Convent in Raj Bagh had declared a holiday on Monday.
A few days back two bear cubs were spotted in the BB Cantt area.
Earlier, there have been instances of leopards straying into habitations. Black bears roaming in urban locations are rare in Srinagar.