A 41-year-old woman from Odisha exhibited remarkable bravery when she fought off a wild bear to save her husband during a foraging excursion in a dense forest. The incident took place on Tuesday in the Hatisalabeda forest, located near Milu village within the Karanjia forest range.

Details of the Attack

Lili Soren and her husband, 48-year-old Malde Soren, were gathering leaves and vegetables when they encountered a group of six bears in the area. According to local accounts, one of the bears suddenly charged at Malde, toppling him and causing severe injuries to his head.

Heroic Response

With her husband bleeding from significant scalp wounds, Lili made the courageous decision to confront the bear rather than flee. Armed with a traditional axe, she struck the animal multiple times in an attempt to fend it off. Her quick and fearless actions ultimately forced the bear to retreat back into the depths of the forest.

Aftermath and Medical Attention

Villagers hurried to the scene upon hearing of the attack and assisted in transporting Malde to a nearby hospital for initial treatment. Given the severity of his head injuries, he was later transferred to a larger medical facility in the Keonjhar district. Health officials have reported that his condition remains critical.

Recognition of Bravery

Lili sustained minor injuries during the encounter but is currently stable. Forest officials have praised her bravery in confronting the bear. Prasant Kumar Swain, the Karanjia Range Officer, described her actions as “remarkable in the face of grave danger,” emphasizing the risks faced by communities residing near forested areas.

Call for Caution

In light of the incident, authorities have urged residents to exercise caution while entering forests. They have stressed the importance of awareness and preparedness to help mitigate the risks associated with wildlife encounters.

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