News
Swiss Man Cuts Off His Own Hand to Escape Bear Attack in Northern Thailand
A 32-year-old Swedish wildlife volunteer sustained serious injuries to his right arm when feeding an Asiatic black bear at a wildlife conservation center in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The wild bear attacked Mr. Stefan Claudio Specogna of Sweden when he was offering it fruit.
The bear bit Specogna’s right hand as he reached through the iron bars to feed the beast.
Eyewitnesses stated that the man had extended his arm into the bear’s cage to feed the bear when the wild animal unexpectedly bit into his arm and refused to let go. In a frantic attempt to flee, Mr Specogna allegedly hacked off his own arm with a knife.
He was then rushed to the hospital. The missing part of his right arm was found in a shredded condition.
According to wildlife officials, the Asiatic black bear was officially under the foundation’s care after being lost in 2013 at Doi Pha Daeng National Park in Chiang Dao.
Police have launched an investigation has begun to look into the circumstances behind the attack.
The Asiatic black bear, sometimes known as the moon bear, is native to Thailand and lives in a variety of habitats, including tropical and subtropical forests.
These bears are distinguished by their characteristic V-shaped white or cream-colored breast patch, and their diet consists primarily of fruits, insects, and small mammals.
Unfortunately, the Asiatic black bear population in Thailand is under jeopardy from habitat degradation and unlawful killing. Conservation efforts are critical for protecting these bears and their native habitats in Thailand.
