The agency suspect that it is a sun bear and was a resident’s pet. It was first spotted by the residents of a housing complex.

“[We searched] for the dog-sized bear in bushes close to the housing complex but we did not find it,” chief patrol officer Muriansyah told tempo.com on Sunday.

The BKSDA has set up a trap filled with cempedak (a fruit similar to jackfruit) in a bid to capture it, but as of Sunday the bear is still on the run. 

However, Muriansyah emphasized that the bear would not be harmed if captured.

The agency’s officers have also gone door-to-door to spread information about the animal, warning them not to kill it on sight.

"If [any of you] see the bear, please report it immediately to us,” Muriansyah added.

Currently, the agency has widened the search to include neighboring residential areas. (mai/evi)