Bhubaneswar, May 9: A wild bear today mauled a villager to death at Nilgiri in Balasore district today, barely four days after the killing of eight persons in a similar incident at Kotpad in Koraput.

Seven others, including a forester, were injured in the attack. Forest officials captured the animal after hours of struggle and released it in the forests.

The bear killed Jaykrushna Barik, 66, of Radhaballavpur village and injured Mitrapur forester Shyam Singh. Singh is battling for life at Balasore district headquarters hospital, having suffered injuries on his head during his attempt to capture the animal.

“Singh is critically ill. Doctors have suggested to shift him to SCB hospital,” said Balasore range officer Rabinarayan Mohapatra.

Sources said the bear had sneaked into human habitations near the Nilgiri reserve forest. First, it entered the house of one Kasinath Swain in Radhaballavpur and attacked his wife Taramani, son Harekrushna and neighbour Rabi Singh. They have all been admitted to Balasore district headquarters hospital.

The animal’s next target was the house of Jaykrushna Barik, whom it killed on the spot. As the news spread, villagers informed forest officials in Nilgiri, around 4km from here. Forester Singh arrived at the village with four colleagues and tried to capture the animal in a cage.

This, however, proved almost fatal for him as the bear attacked him making deep gashes on his head. He was rushed to Balasore district headquarters hospital. Soon after, the animal attacked another person called Patitapaban De at the nearby Sarupal village.

In the afternoon, the animal took shelter in the empty house of one Madhu Behera at Kantabania village, around 2km from Radhaballavpur. Police and forest personnel surrounded the house.

Principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) J.D. Sharma said his officials had finally captured the animal and released it in the nearby forests.

Explaining the sudden increase in the number of bear attacks, Sharma said the animal, which was drawn by the smell of mahua, kendu and other wild fruits growing aplenty in the forests around this time, sometimes came in conflict with human beings. He advised people against crowding the areas, where such attacks took place because it made the job of his officials difficult.