Residents In Jorong Tangah Court In West Sumatra Are Afraid To See Sun Bears, BKSDA Immediately Installs A Camera Trap

AGAM - The West Sumatra Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA West Sumatra) through the Agam Resort has installed two camera traps at the location of the sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) crossing in the residential area of Surau Kubangan Hamlet, Jorong Session Tangah, Nagari Matua Mudiak, Matur District, Agam.

The head of the Agam Natural Resources Conservation Resort (KSDA), Ade Putra, said the first camera traps were installed around the location of the bear's appearance on Sunday. And a second camera was installed on this day.

"The camera was trapped at a distance of about 300 meters," he said in Lubukbasung, Agam Regency, as reported by Antara, Monday, January 24.

He said the camera was installed to obtain visual images of protected animals under Law No. 5/1990 on the Conservation of Natural Resources and Their Ecosystems.

If caught on camera and still roaming around, his party installs a trap cage to evacuate the animal. "This is the last step we are taking because we have entered the settlements," he said.

Previously, Agam KSDA officers conducted field identification to look for traces of sun bears. In addition, conducting interviews with residents who saw and recorded these animals.

"We went to the location of the human-wildlife conflict after receiving information from the local guardian jorong," he said.

Meanwhile, Wali Jorong for the Tangah Session, Agusmar added that the bear was first seen by Zurmiati (46) while taking grass for livestock. "Zurmiati immediately took a video of the appearance of the animal," he said.

He admitted that the local residents could not find the animal today because when the witness saw the bear, he went straight to the forest. Residents are very afraid of the animal. Moreover, at the location where the animals appear, there are many children.

"Residents continue to carry out activities by increasing vigilance," he said. Surau Kubangan hamlet has 100 families with 300 inhabitants.