Wild animal movement in Tirunelveli villages

Tirunelveli, Ambasamudram: A recent wildlife encounter near Ambasamudram has caught public attention, as a bear was seen wandering through Kaskeeper Thoppu village and feasting on mangoes from a tree. The incident, captured on video by alert villagers, has since gone viral on social media, highlighting growing concerns over frequent wildlife movement in human settlements.

The Western Ghats region near Ambasamudram is rich with biodiversity and home to wild animals such as bears, elephants, leopards, and wild boars. However, residents of VK Puram, Kallidaikurichi, and Manimutharu have been witnessing an increase in bear sightings in recent days, leading to growing fears among the local population.

This particular bear reportedly descended from the forest late at night and was spotted in Kaskeeper Thoppu, located along the road to Manimutharu. Attracted by ripe mangoes, the bear was seen climbing a mango tree and eating the fruit. Locals remained hidden while recording the video, which quickly spread across social platforms.

Previously, a similar incident occurred near a residential area in VK Puram, where a bear was found roaming. In response, forest officials had successfully captured the bear using a trap cage.

Now, with repeated sightings, villagers are demanding that the Forest Department intensify surveillance and set up cages to capture and relocate these animals safely before any harm occurs. While no injuries have been reported, the growing wildlife presence in agricultural fields and residential zones is a cause for concern.

Authorities have been urged to take swift action and establish preventive measures to avoid human-wildlife conflict in Tirunelveli district.