Balasore, Oct 7: Panic gripped Nilagiri town in Balasore district after a bear was spotted roaming on a busy road early Wednesday morning. The animal suddenly charged at an old man going on a cycle, giving him trauma that will last a lifetime.

Unaware, the cyclist was going on the road when the animal suddenly charged towards him in the Ghata Gharsahi area. Fortunately, he had a close shave as the bear run away without pouncing on him.

Sources said, the bear was spotted at around 5:30 am on the main road in Ward No. 2 of Nilagiri NAC. According to locals, the animal appeared to have strayed out of the forest and was unable to return as daylight broke.

Narrow Escape For Cyclist

The situation turned alarming when a cyclist passing through the area came face-to-face with the bear. The animal suddenly lunged towards the bicycle, leaving the cyclist with little time to react. Fortunately, he managed to escape without suffering any injuries.

Also Read: East Coast Railway strengthens Green Energy initiatives with more than 480kWp solar capacity

The dramatic encounter was captured on a CCTV camera installed in the area.

Daytime Bear Movement Sparks Panic Among Locals

The sighting of the bear in a populated area during the daytime triggered fear among residents, with locals concerned about the possibility of further encounters.

Following the incident, people reportedly tried to drive the animal away from the locality. The bear eventually moved towards the forest and disappeared from the area.

Residents have urged the forest department to monitor the situation and take preventive measures to ensure public safety. Forest authorities have assured locals to keep a watch on the area to prevent the bear from returning to the locality.