THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in the High Court demanding that a case be filed against the officials in connection with the drowning of a bear that fell into a well in Vellanadu. According to the petition, the reason for the death of the bear was the unscientific action of the officials.

In the petition, the department should take action against Chief Wild Life Warden and the veterinary surgeon who took the tranquilizer shot and collect compensation from them. The petition was filed by an organization called 'Walking Eye Foundation for Animal Advocacy'. The High Court will consider the petition on Friday.

According to the Chief Wildlife Warden, the forest department did not commit any lapse in the death of the bear. Earlier, a preliminary report was submitted to the Forest Minister, including post-mortem information. The content of the initial report was that the bear could not be taken out without tranquilizing. Based on the report no substantive action is possible beyond issuing a memo to the Wildlife Warden and DFO.

The rescue operation defied the forest department's standard operating procedure of not drugging animals likely to drown. Officials couldn't figure out the possibility that the drugged bear would fall into the well. Antidote can be applied if the drugged animal moves into a dangerous situation. The authorities failed in this regard as well.