Srinagar, November 7, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Jammu and Kashmir Wildlife Protection Department has captured four black bears after they were spotted in human habitations in south Kashmir, officials said on Saturday.
During a day-long operation, wildlife officials tranquillised a 500-kg male bear at Bachoo Sagam in the Kokernag area of Anantnag district. Three other bears were captured in cages installed at Ashmaqum by the Seer Wildlife Control Room.
All four bears were captured alive by the Wildlife South Division, Bijbehara. Officials said the animals would remain under surveillance for some time before being released into their natural habitat.
Wild bears, primarily Asiatic black bears, have increasingly been spotted near residential areas, university campuses and villages across the Kashmir Valley. Changes in weather patterns, expanding apple orchards, land-use changes and shrinking forest buffer zones have been cited as factors bringing wildlife closer to human settlements.
The Valley has also witnessed increased sightings of other wild animals, particularly leopards. These animals have been spotted near educational institutions, residential colonies and villages across several districts, including Budgam, Baramulla, Ganderbal and Kulgam.
The Wildlife Protection Department has deployed rapid-response teams and control rooms to handle such incidents and capture animals found near human habitations. Authorities have advised residents to remain cautious, secure garbage and livestock, and report wildlife sightings promptly to local control rooms.
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