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SRINAGAR: Over the past four days, a Himalayan black bear has been spotted nearly 10km apart at two premier institutions in Kashmir — University of Kashmir (UoK), Hazratbal, and Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Srinagar’s leading tertiary-care hospital — triggering panic. The wildlife department has placed cages at key locations, deployed drones, and is reviewing CCTV footage to trap the animal.A Himalayan bear was first spotted Friday near the girls’ hostel at UoK. CCTV footage showed the animal being chased by dogs outside the varsity gate, before climbing an electricity pole and leaping into the campus near the hostel. A UoK official said two black bears had been seen near Hazratbal area that evening, and one of them entered the campus after being chased by street dogs. The animal was believed to be hiding in the Botany Department’s botanical garden, prompting a search by the wildlife department.On Sunday, the varsity declared the campus safe after wildlife officials completed a thorough search and found no trace of the bear.On Monday evening, the black bear was sighted inside SKIMS. CCTV footage captured the animal roaming in the institute. Wildlife officials placed a bear trap within the premises to capture it. Senior institute officials said a search is on, but the animal has yet to be found.A senior wildlife official said a Himalayan black bear, first spotted in Saidpora area, had travelled through several localities before entering UoK and later moving toward SKIMS. An operation was underway to track the animal, he said, urging citizens not to dispose of garbage in the open as it attracts bears.Bear and leopard sightings around Srinagar have increased in recent years, particularly in late autumn. Last month, a bear was seen entering Amar Singh Club, Srinagar, near the posh Gupkar Road that houses the residences of the CM and some cabinet ministers.Senior wildlife official Intisar Suhail said black bears hardly go into hibernation now. “The effects of climate change, characterised by less precipitation, mainly snow; coupled with the availability of food in the form of garbage dumps, improperly disposed kitchen waste, and left-out fallen fruit in orchards, have enabled bears to skip hibernation and remain active through the winters,” he said.
