KUALA LUMPUR: The Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) has successfully captured a sun bear believed to have fatally attacked a resident in Kampung Dalam Senduk, Jerek, Gua Musang.
According to Buletin TV3, the hunt for the bear began over a month ago, with traps set up on Sept 4 following numerous complaints from villagers.
Village Development and Security Committee (JPKKP) chairman Abd Razak Ramli, 58, said that the bear's capture had relieved the villagers, who had been avoiding their farms due to safety concerns.
He said that the deadly attack had instilled fear in the community and disrupted their livelihoods.
"At around 8am today, a villager informed me that the bear had been caught in one of Perhilitan's traps. While we are unsure if this is the same bear that attacked the resident, its capture has provided some comfort to those who have been staying away from their farms. Many have lost income as residents rely on tapping rubber and selling farm produce," he added.
On Sept 8, Muhamad Zaki Che Mohamed, 33, suffered severe injuries from a bear attack while trapping birds in the area.
He sustained deep wounds to his head, legs, and eyes from the bear's claws.
After nearly a week in the intensive care unit at Universiti Sains Malaysia Hospital (HUSM) in Kubang Kerian, he succumbed to his injuries.
Meanwhile, the victim's brother, Muhamad Zainal Che Mohamed, 35, expressed gratitude for the bear's capture.
"My younger brother informed me at 9.45am that the bear was caught. Alhamdulillah, I hope what happened to my brother doesn't happen to anyone else. Thank you to Perhilitan for their efforts in tracking and capturing the wild animal," he said.