Sloth bear severely mauls 50-year-old woman in Dahod, India

Sloth bear

    

A 50-year-old woman was mauled by a sloth bear near Dhanpur taluka in Dahod district on Sunday morning. Rauli Baria was rushed to SSG Hospital with severe injuries to her face and skull.

Rauli and her husband Varsan Baria are farmers and residents of Jojgam village. The incident occurred when the couple had gone to their fields to collect mahua flowers. The bear was hiding behind the thicket fencing and it attacked Rauli, who was close by. A scared Varsan fled from the spot.

The bear tore into her skull damaging a major part of her brain. Sources in the hospital said Rauli's eyes and nose has been irreversibly damaged. She has also suffered wounds on her neck, back and abdomen. She was admitted in a critical condition and is still in danger. Her husband suffered minor abrasions and was discharged after first aid.

The farm where they were attacked is near Ratanmahal Sloth Bear Sanctuary. District forest officials said that while two bear attacks in the area were registered in March, this is the first severe attack of the year.