India: A joint team of the Gujarat police and the forest department shot dead a female sloth bear near Balaram Wildlife Sanctuary in North Gujarat.

Deputy Conservator of Forest I.K. Barad said, “Since Sunday, the bear had killed three persons and injured five others in a series of attacks in Banaskantha district.

Mr. Barad said forest official R.H. Patni was killed when entered the forest to trace and cage the bear. Among injured, two are forest department officials.

There are about 100 sloth bears in the sanctuary, which spread across 500 sq. km and falls in the catchment area of Banas and Sabarmati rivers.

(Source: The Hindu)