Daltonganj: A 36-year-old woman escaped with injuries after an adult bear accompanied by two cubs attacked her in the Mahuadarn range of Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR) on Friday evening, officials said. This was the third bear attack in a week.Sources said Ismita Nagesia and her husband, Ramesh, were returning home to Longra Tola hamlet in Chiro village from Chatakpur market when the bear with two cubs suddenly attacked her from behind, injuring her left thigh. Ramesh was walking ahead when he heard her cries and rushed to help her. The bear and its cubs then left Ismita and disappeared into the nearby forest.She was taken to the local community health centre (CHC) and administered an anti-tetanus injection, anti-rabies vaccine and antibiotics before being referred to a higher medical centre in Latehar town. Forester in-charge Gurudayal Singh said the couple chose the jungle route after dusk, a mistake many other bear attack victims made.“Bears attack first to protect cubs and then to ward off human interference,” an official said.Since July 4, four persons have been attacked by bears in the Mahuadarn range. Officials attributed the rise in human-bear encounters to the breeding season and increased collection of wild mushrooms by villagers.Deputy director of PTR’s South division Kumar Ashish said such incidents can be prevented with greater caution. “These incidents can be minimised by following simple tips for personal safety, like not venturing into jungles during the breeding season, not entering the forest alone, especially after dark,” he said.