Archive · 7 Oct 2026
Cameras and Cages Deployed After Bear Raids Darjeeling Hamlet
People in Mungpoo have been worried about a bear visiting their village.
Residents say the bear has attacked poultry and livestock, including goats.
They report that about 30 animals were hurt or killed over the past couple of weeks.
Forest officials have put up 35 cameras to follow the bear’s movements.
They have also placed two cages in an effort to catch it.
The cameras have shown an adult bear in the area.
Thick plants and the nearby forest make it hard to capture.
Forest guards are watching the area, and residents have been asked to stay inside at night.
Residents of Mungpoo report repeated bear raids over nearly a week.
Residents say about 30 animals, mostly goats, were injured or killed over the past couple of weeks.
The Darjeeling wildlife division installed 35 CCTV cameras and set up two cages to capture the bear.
Camera footage confirmed an adult bear was roaming the area, officials said.
Forest guards are monitoring the locality and warning residents not to go out at night.
- Who
- Residents of Mungpoo and the Darjeeling wildlife division.
- What
- Officials installed cameras and cages to track and trap a bear reportedly attacking poultry and livestock.
- When
- The raids have been reported over nearly a week; residents say livestock losses occurred over the past couple of weeks. Cages and cameras were installed after complaints.
- Where
- Mungpoo, in the Darjeeling hills, about 50 kilometres from Siliguri.
- Why
- Residents complained of repeated bear raids and sought the animal's capture and compensation for losses.
Residents’ concerns
Forest department’s response
Bear raids and response
Residents’ concerns
Residents say repeated raids have injured or killed livestock and want the bear captured promptly; they have also sought compensation.
Forest department’s response
Officials have installed cameras and cages, deployed forest guards, and advised residents to remain indoors at night; dense vegetation and nearby forest fringes complicate capture.
- Location
- Mungpoo in the Darjeeling hills, around 50 kilometres from Siliguri
- Cameras
- 35 CCTV cameras installed at different locations
- Cages
- Two cages set up: one on Darjeeling University premises and one in the Rambhi division
- Animal identified
- Camera footage confirmed an adult bear was roaming the area
- Reported livestock toll
- Residents say around 30 animals, mostly goats, were severely injured or killed
- Safety response
- A dedicated forest team is monitoring the locality, and residents have been warned against going out at night
- Capture challenge
- Dense vegetation and proximity to forest fringes have made the bear difficult to capture