Iron cages installed to trap wild bears in Phungling

Taplejung, Dec 24: An iron cage has been installed to trap wild bears that have been creating a havoc, killing and injuries livestock in Hangdewa, Phungling Municipality-9. In the past week, eight goats and sheep have died and three have been injured due to bear attacks.

After the bears caused such damage in the Dhupoure area of Bunkulung in Hangdewa, an iron cage was installed at the initiative of the Division Forest Office on Tuesday, shared Suraj Ojha, Chair of the Community Forest Users Federation Nepal.

The iron cage has been installed near the shed where local farmer Narayan Prasad Bhandari keeps his sheep and goats. Ojha said that the cage was installed there as the bear had come to the cage several times and could return.

According to locals, two goats belonging to Narayan Bhandari and Padam Gurung were eaten by a bear on Monday night, leaving three injured. Earlier, on December 19, four goats belonging to Bhagiman Gurung died in a bear attack, while a sheep belonging to Narayan Gurung was eaten by a bear last month.

With the increase in bear attacks, locals are unable to go to the forest to collect fodder grass, firewood and also cultivate cardamom.

Meanwhile, the Ward Chair Laxhuman Gurung has urged locals to remain vigilant.