Subhash Mahajan
Dalhousie
Panic gripped Dalhousie bus stand early this morning when locals spotted a bear cub with its head trapped inside a metal canister. The sight created fear among people present, who immediately alerted the Dalhousie Forest Department.
A rescue team was swiftly dispatched, and officials struggled for several hours to free the animal. Eyewitnesses said forest staff attempted to carefully guide the bear into a vehicle so it could be taken to a safe location in the forest.
Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Kuldeep Jamwal personally supervised the operation, which lasted nearly 5–6 hours. He confirmed that the bear was a cub and may have had its head stuck in the canister for several days.
During the rescue, some staff members sustained injuries from the bear’s claws, but they continued the operation undeterred. Eventually, the cub was secured in a cage, the canister was cut off, and the animal was released safely back into the forest.
DFO Jamwal praised the courage and dedication of his team, noting that despite the risks, they ensured the cub’s survival. The incident highlights both the challenges of human–wildlife encounters in Himachal’s tourist hubs and the commitment of forest officials to protecting wildlife.
