Keonjhar: Officials have asked residents of forest-side villages at Sadar, Champua and Ghatagaon ranges not to leave their houses after dark because of the threat of attacks by wild animals.

Frequent intrusions by wild elephants and bears into the villages have become a cause of bother for the forest department. Four people have died in bear attacks over the past fortnight. However no human casualty has occurred due to elephant attack in the recent months.

"These animals move at night. So it's highly advisable for people to avoid outdoor activities in the evening and night. A woman died on Tuesday in a wild bear attack. She had ventured into the jungle to collect fire wood. A wild bear attacked her when she was returning home at sunset, said forest range officer Ghatagao, Ashok Kumar Mohanty. Officials have also asked villagers to venture into forests and orchards in groups.