Wayanad: After a series of tiger sightings and leopard attacks on cattle, it is now “bear days” in Cheeral near Sulthan Bathery. Each day, more residents come forward with accounts of spotting a bear near their homes, backyards, farms, or even walking along the road.

Though the animal has not attacked anyone, its presence has caused widespread alarm. “It looks calm and friendly, but it’s terrifying,” said residents.

Just a week ago, a leopard that had been regularly preying on cattle was trapped by the forest department in a cage.

On Tuesday, residents of East Cheeral ward raised the issue during the Grama Sabha of the Nenmeni village panchayat, demanding that the animal be captured and translocated deep into the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary.

‘Bear fear’ grips Cheeral
The fear has disrupted daily life. Women working in nearby shops have sought permission to leave early so they can reach home before dusk. Dairy farmers, who usually head out before daybreak, have requested that milk collection be delayed, fearing encounters with the roaming bear.

Videos of the animal wandering through streets and courtyards have gone viral on social media, further fueling public anxiety.

According to Afsal Cheeral, ward member of East Cheeral, sightings have been reported from multiple areas, including Varikkeri, Kalanoorkunnu, Pattathukunnu, East Cheeral, and Mundakolly.

“I don’t believe there’s only one bear, since reports came in from different places at the same time,” Afsal said.

 “Only after capturing one can we confirm whether it’s a single animal or more,” he added.

Recently, the forest department traced the bear to a public burial ground and placed a cage at the spot. However, the animal has continued to evade the traps and wander through residential areas.

Sloth bears — the honey hunters
Sloth bears are known to scour forests for honeycombs — both in trees and underground nests. The latest incident occurred when a bear entered the courtyard of Kumbarakkara Vineeth, destroying his beehives and devouring honeycombs from five nests.It was Vineeth’s younger brother, Vivek, who spotted the animal feeding. “When I raised an alarm, it ran into the nearby coffee plantation,” Vivek said. According to Vineeth, the five nests contained nearly 25 litres of honey.

Just a week earlier, the same bear had destroyed four other nests in the same spot. Out of 13 nests, Vineeth has already lost nine.

Action Council leader Pratheesh Cheeral told Onmanorama that the bear appears accustomed to human presence and doesn’t scare easily.

“But people are terrified, especially after hearing about bear attacks elsewhere,” he said.

South Wayanad DFO Ajit K Raman said a cage has been placed to capture the animal, baited with a honeycomb.

“So far, it hasn’t posed any direct threat, but people are afraid,” he said. “The area is close to the forest, and the animal might have strayed into human habitats.”