Elderly man injured in VTR bear attack | Patna News

In a harrowing incident at the Valmiki Tiger Reserve near Bettiah, 65-year-old Sukhal Mahato faced life-threatening injuries after being attacked by a bear while near the Singha river. His desperate cries for help drew the attention of nearby villagers, who swiftly came to his rescue.

Bettiah: A 65-year-old man was seriously injured after being attacked by a bear in Govardhana village under the Raghiya forest area of the Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) in West Champaran on Thursday morning. After receiving first aid, he was referred to Bettiah Govt Medical College and Hospital for better treatment.The injured person was identified as Sukhal Mahato, a resident of Govardhana village under the Ramnagar block. According to family members, the incident occurred early in the morning when Mahato went to the banks of the Singha river. A bear, hiding in nearby bushes, suddenly attacked him, leaving him little time to react.Vinod Mahato, the victim’s brother, said the bear attacked Sukhal’s hand, biting deeply and tearing the flesh. “He screamed for help, and on hearing his cries, villagers rushed towards the spot. By the time they arrived, the bear had already fled into the forest. We transported him to the Ramnagar Community Health Center. Doctors at the centre administered first aid but later referred him to the Government Medical College and Hospital, Bettiah, due to the seriousness of his injuries,” he said.Dr DS Arya of Ramnagar CHC, who attended to the patient, confirmed that Sukhal Mahato sustained severe injuries to his hand and required advanced medical treatment.Ranger of the Raghiya forest area, Sanjeev Kumar, said that as soon as information about the bear attack was received, a team of forest workers reached the spot and the injured person was taken to the hospital in the forest department’s ambulance. “Further action will be taken after an investigation by the forest department,” he said.Authorities have once again urged villagers to remain cautious, especially during early morning and late evening hours, and to avoid venturing alone near forest areas.Human-wildlife conflict is not new in the VTR. Several people have been injured in attacks by tigers, bears, leopards and crocodiles in the past. Earlier in Apr 2025, Algu Mahato, a resident of Santpur, was attacked by a bear while working in a field. Later, in Dec 2025, 19-year-old Phoolwanti Kumari of Sewarahi Barwa village was also injured in a bear attack.Residents of Govardhana and nearby villages expressed concern over the frequent movement of wild animals in human settlements along the forest fringe. They said encounters with animals such as bears and occasionally big cats had become increasingly common, posing a serious risk to both life and property.