According to KhabarOnline, Eisa Arefikia stated on Saturday in an interview with Irna that the injured individual, a nomad and livestock herder from the Zaryab region of Jiroft named Fariborz Arfand, accidentally encountered an Asian black bear while moving outside the boundaries of a rural settlement yesterday. He emphasized that the animal, startled by the sudden presence of the individual, attacked him out of a defensive instinct, unfortunately resulting in injuries to the head and face of the herder.
The head of the Jiroft Environmental Department noted the emergency measures taken for the injured individual, stating that following the incident, local residents transported the victim to the Sarbijan area using local vehicles. Immediately, an air ambulance was dispatched to transfer him to the hospital in Jiroft for specialized medical treatment.
He further mentioned that the situation of this citizen is being monitored and that necessary legal actions for filing a compensation claim have commenced, with initial procedures underway. Based on the conducted assessments, the confirmation of the conditions for compensation payment by the relevant authorities has been validated, and this process will proceed after the completion of administrative formalities.
Arefikia emphasized that the Asian black bear is considered a rare, significant, and endangered species in the southern part of Kerman province. He consistently advises nomads and residents of these areas to observe necessary safety precautions when traversing the habitats of this animal and to avoid direct encounters with it.
The Asian black bear, recognized as one of the rare wildlife species and endangered in Iran, is found only in three provinces: Kerman, Sistan and Baluchestan, and Hormozgan. It plays a crucial role in biodiversity, the food chain, and the ecological balance of the region. This rare species inhabits areas such as Zaryab, Bahraasman, Marz, Qaleh Ganj, and Kahnouj in southern Kerman province. Jiroft is located 230 kilometers south of the provincial capital of Kerman.
