Kijal: The Terengganu Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) has successfully trapped a female sun bear, weighing approximately 40 kilogrammes, in Ladang Pelantoh Selatan. The operation took place near Kijal, following a report by a local villager.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the director of Perhilitan, Loo Kean Seong, stated that the bear was caught after entering a trap set by the team the previous evening. The animal was captured at around 1 am and has since been released back into its natural habitat without any injuries.

Loo explained that the sun bear likely emerged from a nearby forest reserve in search of food. Six staff members from Perhilitan were involved in the safe transfer of the bear back to the wild.

A villager, Md Fauzi Abdullah, aged 42, reported the sighting to Perhilitan after discovering the bear behind his house. He expressed concern for the safety of his young children, which prompted him to take action.

Fauzi recounted hearing noises near a jackfruit tree early Monday morning and, upon investigation, found a bear perched on the tree. He filed a report with Perhilitan at about 10 am, leading to the deployment of a trap by 4 pm. Fauzi expressed relief after the bear was safely captured.