Bear attack pattern and behavior in the Himalayan region: A study from a tertiary care center
Amborish Nath1, Nikhilesh Kumar Gaur1, Madhubari Vathulya1
1Department of Burns & Plastic Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh 249203, Uttarakhand, India.
Injury
|June 28, 2020
Summary
Bear attacks in India
Area of Science:
- Traumatology
- Wildlife-related injuries
- Surgical management
Background:
- Bear attacks are rare in India's Himalayan region, particularly Uttarakhand.
- A retrospective study analyzed 18 patients injured by Himalayan black and sloth bears.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the patterns of bear attacks in Uttarakhand.
- To understand the management and outcomes of bear attack injuries.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 18 patients.
- Data collected from January 2018 to December 2019.
Main Results:
- Attacks primarily caused soft tissue injuries and facial fractures.
- Himalayan black bears and sloth bears were identified as the culprits.
- Tissue preservation and early reconstruction yielded the best outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Bear attack injuries predominantly affect the face and neck.
- Facial disfigurement poses a significant long-term challenge for survivors.
- Timely tissue preservation and reconstructive surgery are crucial for optimal patient recovery.
