A 28-year-old tribal man was injured in a bear attack near Thadasalatti village in Thalavadi taluk on Sunday (May 3, 2026).

P. Moorthy, from Thadasalatti, a tribal hamlet under Thalamalai panchayat, was attacked around 3 p.m. while walking along a forest stretch with his relative Veerakumar. The two had reportedly gone to collect firewood. While picking up firewood by the roadside, a bear that was hiding in the bushes suddenly attacked Moorthy, injuring him below the left nostril and biting his left thigh. Both managed to fend off the animal by hitting it with a bundle of firewood, following which the bear retreated.

The injured was taken to a nearby house and later shifted by 108 ambulance service to the Government Hospital in Sathyamangalam, where he was given first aid. He was subsequently referred to the Government Erode Medical College and Hospital in Perundurai, where he underwent treatment for injuries to the face and thigh. His condition is stated to be stable.

Following the incident, Sathyamangalam-based NGO, Rights Education and Development Centre (READ), Director R. Karuppasamy, met him at the hospital on Wednesday (May 6). He urged the State government to strengthen medical infrastructure in hill areas, including the appointment of adequate doctors and provision of advanced equipment. He also sought enhanced medical insurance coverage for tribal communities and adequate compensation and safety measures to address human-wildlife conflict in the hill area.