Joida, August 18, 2025: A distressing incident occurred on Monday morning when a group of three bears attacked a farmer, Shanta Hanumant Dereker, while he was grazing cattle near his farmland in Khumbaye Majire, close to Deria village in the Kumbharwada wildlife range of the Kali Tiger Reserve, Joida taluk, Uttara Kannada district. The attack left Shanta with severe injuries to his face, head, and back, causing widespread panic in the area.

Shanta was immediately rushed to Joida Government Hospital for primary treatment. Due to the severity of his injuries, he was later referred to KIMS Hospital in Hubballi for advanced medical care.

The Kumbharwada wildlife range, part of the Kali Tiger Reserve, is known for its significant bear population. Recent months have seen a rise in bear attack incidents across Dandeli, Joida, Kumbharwada, Aweda, and Deria areas, fueling fear among local farmers and residents. The community has urged the forest department to implement effective preventive measures to address the growing human-wildlife conflict in the region.