KPH Tabalong evacuates a rare baby sun bear

Tanjung, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) - Members of the Forest Protection team of the Tabalong Forest Management Unit (KHP) have evacuated a baby of rare sun bear from a resident of a village in Muara Uya Sub-district, Monday (Feb 10, 2020).


The male cub (the baby sun bear) was just 10 days old, when he was evacuated by the team.

"When we got the information about the rare animal, we immediately followed it up by confiscating it from a resident's house," Head of Forest Protection of the KPH Zainal Abidin said.

Related news: S Kalimantan's Tabalong forest team secure rare leopard cat

Sun bear or also known as the honey bear (Helarctos malayanus), which global population is thought to have declined by more than 30 percent over the past three bear generations due to the large-scale deforestation throughout Southeast Asia.

The sun bear is the smallest of the bear species. Adults are about 120–150 cm (47–59 in) long and weigh 27–80 kg (60–176 lb). Males are 10–20 percent larger than females. 

Previously, the KHP team secured two rare and protected animal of leopard cat species (Prionailurus bengalensis). Both were only about one week of age, when they were secured from a resident.

Read also: KPH Tabalong prepares free seedlings to support Green Revolution

KPH Tabalong had also saved an endangered animal species of gibbons (Hylobates albibarbis) or owa Kalimantan in Panaan Village, Bintang Ara Sub-district, and a rare bird of Julang Emas (Rhyticelos Undulatus) in Purui Village, Jaro Sub-district.

Zainal then appealed to the community to support the effort to preserve rare and protected animals.

"People should know the species of rare and protected animals so as not to be objected by law," he suggested.
Read also: KPH Tabalong builds an orchid conservation house