On Monday, a video emerged showing a black sloth bear loitering around inside a temple's premises in central India’s Chhattisgarh state. From what is visible in the clip, the bear looked like it was on a scavenger hunt, raiding dustbins for leftover food.
Upon failing to find any food, the bear tossed away the dustbin in human-like anger and disappointment.
In India, devotees visiting temples bring lots of food to first offer the deities and then distribute the blessed food among other believers, hungry beggars, and stray animals roaming in the temple vicinity.
Some temples, which are built near mountains and forests – away from the hustle and bustle of the city, attract wild animals who find their way there for little snacks and treats from the visitors.
Now, because of the lockdown, nobody is showing up in the temples and all these animals, accustomed to being fed, are in hunger.
Netizens who came across the video advised authorities to arrange for some food for the animals in the temple area.
An officer in the Indian Forest Services, Pradeep Mishra commented on the video and informed people that sloth bears are ferocious in nature. In 2018, a bear was captured chasing residents of the Sarangarh district of Chhatisgarh itself, and ended up injuring four locals.