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Sun bear captured after roaming near Riau village for a month

Sun bears, also known as honey bears, are listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and are threatened by habitat loss and hunting for traditional medicine.

Rizal Harahap (The Jakarta Post)
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Pekanbaru
Fri, June 26, 2026 Published on Jun. 25, 2026 Published on 2026-06-25T18:31:29+07:00

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A sun bear is pictured in a cage at Indonesia's Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) facility after being captured by villagers on July 24, 2018, in Pekanbaru, Riau. A sun bear is pictured in a cage at Indonesia's Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) facility after being captured by villagers on July 24, 2018, in Pekanbaru, Riau. (AFP/Wahyudi)

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uthorities 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.

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.

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“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.

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Sun bear captured after roaming near Riau village for a month

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