KUALA TERENGGANU: The Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) captured a sun bear seen roaming near a golf course in Kampung Telaga Batin, Kuala Nerus, yesterday.
Its director Loo Kean Seong said they first received a complaint on the female sun bear weighing 65kg on March 26 and on the same day, the wildlife control unit went to the location to track the animal.
He said on March 27, traps were set up in Kampung Telaga Batin, Kuala Nerus and yesterday at 7.15am, the animal entered the trap.
"The Translocation Programme started around 10am and ended around 5.00pm, taking approximately seven hours.
"The female sun bear is estimated to be five-years-old and was released into a suitable natural habitat for the species," he said.
It was reported yesterday that a sun bear was spotted in an area near a golf course in Tok Jembal, Kuala Nerus.
Sun bears are threatened by heavy deforestation and illegal hunting for food and the wildlife trade. They are also harmed in conflicts with humans when they enter farmlands, plantations, and orchards.
Their global population is estimated to have declined by 35 per cent since the 1990s.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed this species as vulnerable.