HALIYAL : A 58-year-old man fought off a bear after more than three hours of struggle at Garadolliwada in Haliyal taluk of Uttara Kannada district on Monday night.
A seriously injured Jube Valanti Adveppache of the Siddi tribe was admitted to KIMS Hospital in Hubballi, where the doctors treated him with 54 stitches on his head and face. Jube is stated to be out of danger. On Wednesday, he was shifted to Haliyal taluk hospital, said a doctor who treated him at KIMS Hospital.
The incident happened on Monday evening, Jube went to his field in the middle of a forest near his village to collect mushrooms when a bear attacked him and wounded him in his eye, hand and head. He fought for nearly three hours before the bear retreated, sources said.
A bleeding Jube ran 5 km to reach his village. After first aid at Haliyal, villagers took him to KIMS Hospital in Hubballi. Range Forest Officer Deepak Naik and Sambrani forest officials visited him in hospital.