A Bear to Call Our Own - The Malayan Sun Bears

I am saddened that the State Wildlife Department may resort to setting traps to capture sun bears which have been entering an army camp in Jeli in search of food.

We must take a look at the situation in its entirety before we take such drastic actions. The sun bears have been roaming the forest way before humans encroached into their habitat. Therefore, we must remember that it is we that have invaded and deprived them of their habitat and food source which resulted in the bears' intrusions into human settlements.

The sun bears are totally protected and are listed on CITES: Appendix I. They are the smallest bear in the world and are only found in South East Asia. These bears suffer from severe habitat loss and poaching. When their natural food sources start to disappear, the sun bear is forced to scour neighboring farms and plantations for food, where they are usually shot or trapped by angry farmers.

As clearly stated by the Department Director Pazil Abdul Patah, the sun bears were harmless and would not likely attack the soldiers. Hence, the sun bears are merely just a nuisance to the army camp. Although the nuisance should be managed but there are other bear-friendlier options than the easy way out of trapping and release.

Trapping the bears are equivalent to curing the symptoms rather than addressing the cause. Therefore, the first step should be eliminating the purpose of the bear visits - to find food in the camp. This can be achieve by managing proper garbage disposal and securing their camp's food supply. These bears can be "taught" not to wonder off near human by scaring them with shooting rubber bullets or firecrackers.

We should take great pride in The Malayan Sun Bears (Helarctos Malayanus), not only because they were named after our country but the fact that they are magnificent creatures - our natural heritage that should be protected for our future generations to appreciate.

New Straits Times
Traps may be set for bears
17 April 07

KOTA BARU: State Wildlife Department rangers may set up traps to catch the sun bears which have been entering an army camp in Jeli in search of food.
Department director Pazil Abdul Patah said yesterday the measure was being considered although the animals were harmless and would not likely attack the soldiers."Our rangers are monitoring the place and will set up traps if necessary," he said.Last Saturday, soldiers at the Batu 18 Galeri camp complained the bears had been stealing rations such as rice, sugar and biscuits at night.