A female sloth bear, suspected to have stuck in an open dry well in Karnataka for 48 hours, died while her two cubs are in a serious condition, officials said on Friday.
The incident happened on Wednesday night about 200 km from Bengaluru and came to light 24 hours after a pregnant female leopard, with two litters in her womb, died after falling in an open well in Maharashtra.
According to the veterinarians present during the rescue operation, the cubs have sustained several injuries.
The nine-year-old female bear succumbed from starvation and physical injuries sustained during the fall. Two 20-week-old cubs were bought to Bannerghatta Bear Rescue Centre in Karnataka.
The bear and her cubs were discovered by local farmers, who reported the incident to the Forest Department officials, who in turn contacted animal welfare organisation Wildlife SOS.
"The cubs have sustained wounds and abrasions on their body and are under a lot of trauma currently. They will be under continuous medical observation and treatment. We hope they survive the ordeal," said Dr Arun A. Sha, Director - Wildlife Veterinary Operations.
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The post-mortem examination report revealed that the female bear had multiple fractures from the impact of falling into the 20-foot deep dry well.
"This is a serious matter as the issue of uncovered wells poses a huge risk not only to wildlife but also to people," said Kartick Satyanarayan, co-founder, Wildlife SOS.
Wildlife SOS has recently launched a petition to address the issue of open wells, so that people and India's wild animals are not further endangered.
--IANS
kd/nir/vt