Pelalawan Residents Attacked by Honey Bear, BBKSDA Riau Puts a Cage for a Bear 

DOK IST

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Forestry through the Riau Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BBKSDA) has installed a trap cage in Pangkalan Gondai Village, Langgam District, Pelalawan Regency, after a resident was attacked by a honey bear while in his garden.

The handling was carried out after the BBKSDA Riau received a report of an alleged conflict between humans and wildlife of the honey bear (Helarctos malayanus) type. The Wildlife Rescue Unit (WRU) team was immediately dispatched from Pekanbaru to the location with one trap cage unit to monitor the animal's whereabouts.

This quick step is said to be part of the policy of the Minister of Forestry, Raja Juli Antoni, in strengthening the mitigation of human and wildlife conflicts, in accordance with the instructions of President Prabowo Subianto.

Head of the Riau KSDA Headquarters, Supartono, said that every report of wildlife conflict would be followed up with direct handling in the field.

"Every report of wildlife conflict we follow up by sending a WRU team to the field. The handling is carried out in a measured manner while prioritizing the safety of the community and maintaining the sustainability of protected wildlife," said Supartono in his statement, Friday, August 7.

The handling is directed so that the safety of the community remains a priority without neglecting the protection of wildlife and its habitat.

Upon arrival at Pangkalan Gondai Village, the WRU team coordinated with the village government and local authorities to collect information and prepare mitigation steps at the scene.

Based on the village government's statement, the victim was attacked from behind while in his garden. The victim had resisted until the bear released his attack and fled.

The victim suffered injuries from the attack. After arriving at home, the victim lost a lot of blood and fainted before finally being taken by his family to Selasih Hospital Pangkalan Kerinci for medical treatment.

On Thursday, August 6, the WRU team together with the village government and local authorities installed a trap cage around the location as an effort to mitigate if the bear returns to the area that has the potential to endanger residents.

BBKSDA Riau is still identifying the causes of the conflict and monitoring the movement of animals around the location. The honey bear is a protected animal under the law, so that every handling is done carefully.

"We are also continuing to coordinate with the local government, security forces, and the community so that mitigation measures can run effectively," he said.

Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni previously emphasized the importance of strengthening the human-wildlife conflict mitigation system as part of adaptive conservation management. According to him, biodiversity protection must go hand in hand with efforts to provide a sense of security for people living and working around forest areas and wildlife habitats.

BBKSDA Riau appeals to the public who are active in gardens or areas bordering wildlife habitats to increase vigilance, not work alone, and immediately report the presence of wildlife to BBKSDA Riau or local authorities.