Panic grips Kashmir University as bear enters compound

Srinagar, Nov 28: A black bear was spotted jumping inside the premises of the University of Kashmir (KU) on Friday late evening, creating panic among the students putting up in the varsity hostels.

A video had gone viral on social media, showing a black bear being chased by the street dogs outside the varsity near Sir Syed Gate.

After being chased by the street dogs, the black bear climbed an electric pole erected exactly outside the girls hostel of the varsity, and managed to enter inside the University premises.

Following this, the University officials contacted the wildlife department to launch the rescue operation at the spot. An official said the team of wildlife department reached the varsity while the students have been strictly ordered not to venture outside.

Talking to Greater Kashmir, Vice Chancellor KU, Prof Nilofer Khan said one of the two bears spotted near Hazratbal, has entered the campus.

"Actually, two black bears were spotted near Hazratbal area yesterday and one among them jumped across the wall and entered inside the University campus after it was chased by street dogs," she told Greater Kashmir.

She said the bear was most probably hiding inside the botanical garden of KU's Botany department while the team of the wildlife department has launched the search operation.

Meanwhile Chief Proctor KU, Imtiyaz Ahmad Khan informed Greater Kashmir that the team of wildlife department was on spotted but the bear was not found inside the Botanical garden.

"The girls hostel area and the residential area of KU besides the area near Botany and Zoology departments, is clear. The wildlife team got information that the bear was spotted near Habbak," he told Greater Kashmir.