A deep sense of sorrow has fallen over the Kotagiri region within the Nilgiris forest division following the discovery of two sloth bears found dead on Wednesday, victims of separate and tragic incidents.
The first heartbreaking discovery was made on Wednesday morning in Aravenu, Kotagiri. Forest Department officials, in collaboration with the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board, immediately launched an investigation. Their findings revealed that a severe downpour had caused a power line to snap and fall onto a tree. Sadly, a sloth bear came into contact with this energized tree, resulting in its electrocution and untimely death.
In a separate, equally distressing incident, another sloth bear was found deceased on Tuesday in Bikkapathy, located in the Kattabettu forest range. Initial reports suggested the bear might have been caught in a solar fence. However, a thorough investigation by officials uncovered a more sinister truth: the bear had tragically succumbed after being ensnared in an illegal trap.
Further inquiries led authorities to identify and register a case against A. Vikramkumar, a 23-year-old from Chhattisgarh. He is alleged to have constructed a snare using a brake wire, intended for wild game. This cruel device ultimately trapped the sloth bear, leading to its demise. Vikramkumar has since been arrested, as the department continues its efforts to protect the region’s vulnerable wildlife.