JAKARTA: Authorities have captured and relocated a protected sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) that had been wandering around a village in Riau’s Pelalawan Regency, raising safety concerns among residents.
Head of the Riau Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA), Supartono, said the sun bear was captured in a box trap on June 19 in Kerumutan subdistrict after three weeks of monitoring and trapping efforts.
“The sun bear had been roaming residential areas for around a month before it was captured, causing safety concerns for residents, especially farmers,” he said on Tuesday (June 23).
Supartono added that the evacuation process was carried out carefully to ensure the safety of both the animal and local residents.
“The animal was found in good health, with no visible injuries. Its condition is normal and its movements are naturally active,” he said.
Kerumutan resident Ewin (40) said the sun bear was first spotted in a resident’s oil palm plantation at night in late May.
“When it first appeared, people gathered at the location and tried to drive it away using flashlights. The beam of light directed at the bear caused it to retreat into nearby bushes,” he said.
However, the community’s efforts were short-lived as the animal returned to the village the following day, moving behind residents’ houses and even crossing residential roads.
“Fearing a potential conflict that could cause casualties, we reported the bear’s presence to village officials and other relevant authorities,” he said.
“We are very grateful that the bear eventually entered the trap set by the authorities. We hope this will be the last time a bear appears in our village,” he added.
BKSDA Riau’s Supartono said the sun bear was released back into the wild shortly after capture due to its good overall condition.
“The bear was still very active, with strong responses and instincts, which indicate its wild nature. These are key factors in deciding whether an animal can be released back into the wild,” he said.
He added that the animals were released in an area far from residential settlements to prevent repeated human-wildlife conflict, although he did not disclose the exact location.
“The release site was selected far from settlements to avoid recurring conflicts. The presence of wildlife near residential areas is risky, as it can endanger both people and animals. We ensure that the animal still has a chance to survive in its new home,” he said. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
