Villagers on alert as sun bear returns nightly, kills goats and damages bee hives in Terengganu
JERTIH, May 19 — Residents of Kampung Alor Belanga near Kampung Alor Keladi here are concerned over the presence of a sun bear that has been roaming the village in search of food since April.
Alor Belanga Federal Village Development and Security Committee (JPKKP) chairman Abdullah Hassan said the wild animal has been spotted more frequently around the village at night and in the early morning in recent weeks.
“Previously, the bear only damaged stingless bee hives and coconut trees to feed on honey and coconuts, but lately it has allegedly attacked and eaten villagers’ livestock.
“The latest incident occurred last Thursday when the bear attacked and ate a resident’s goat. It had also preyed on other domesticated animals belonging to villagers,” he told Bernama today.
Abdullah said he has reported the matter to the Terengganu Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan), which is expected to take immediate action.
Resident and logger Muhammad Isazuali Mohd Yusof, 27, said his female goat was found dead about 10 metres inside bushes behind his house and is believed to have been attacked by the bear.
He said the goat, which had been tethered near his house, went missing last Friday morning. After searching for it, he found the carcass with some of its internal organs missing.
“About a week before the incident, two of my stingless bee hives were destroyed by the bear,” he said, adding that he was worried about the safety of villagers.
Another resident, Abd Aziz Nasir, 51, said five of his 10 stingless bee hives were damaged by the bear recently, which also destroyed several coconut trees he had planted.
“The bear has come near my house three times. I am very worried about the safety of my family, especially my mother, who is in her 70s and often spends time in the yard every morning,” he said.
