JELI: The Kelantan Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) captured a female sun bear in Kampung Sungai Satan yesterday.
Its director Mohamad Hafid Rohani said the Jeli Perhilitan office received a complaint about a sun bear roaming around the village's orchards last Tuesday.
He said the department then conducted an investigation at the complaint location and set up a bear trap unit at the site.
"After this bear was captured, it somewhat relieved the villagers, besides preventing continuous losses due to crop and property damage from the conflict.
"The operation to relocate and release this bear to a more suitable and safe habitat will be carried out soon involving staff from the Jeli Perhilitan office," he said in a statement today.
He mentioned that to reduce conflict cases involving bears, villagers, especially orchard owners, are advised to take mitigation measures such as always having company when going to the orchard, not entering the orchard area at night, cleaning the orchards, and installing lights around the house at night.
"Capturing and relocating troublesome bears is not a long-term solution since this area is near the Sungai Sator Permanent Forest Reserve (HSK), which is the original habitat of the wildlife.
"The public is also advised to be more cautious if they encounter wildlife and not to take their own actions that could pose a safety risk to themselves," he said.
Any complaints or information regarding wildlife can be channelled to the Department of Wildlife through the Perhilitan hotline at 1-800-88-5151 or e-complaints on the website www.wildlife.gov.my.