New Straits Times, 1st January 2014 
By SULAIMAN JAAFAR AND SHARIFAH MAHSINAH ABDULLAH
RAMPANT: They even lend their guns to syndicate members to kill animalsKOTA BARU: WILDLIFE poaching syndicates have been running wild in the jungles of Kelantan, hunting down endangered animals, such as tigers and elephants, in Jeli and Kuala Krai.

However, it has emerged that the syndicates have been getting a helping hand from People's Volunteer Corp (Rela) members.
It was learnt that the syndicates, from outside the state, have been engaging Rela members as trackers for their activities, with a lucrative payday awaiting the members in the event of a good haul.

Rela members not only lead the syndicates to their prizes, but also offer them the use of their government-issued firearms to kill animals.
Sources said the Wildlife Department had identified at least three groups, all of which have one or two Rela members in each group.
They are joined in their hunt by syndicate members from other states and foreigners.

"The activity has been going on for at least five years. It is an easy job for the Rela men as they have the firearm licences and are also familiar with the local jungle. That is why their services are much sought after by the syndicates."
It is believed that the discovery of carcasses of a tiger and four leopards in a taxi in Tumpat in September was linked to one of the groups. The taxi driver has been charged and faces 25 years in prison.

A former state wildlife director said poaching was not so serious in the past but it had become rampant lately, especially in the Gunong Basor forest reserve in Jeli.
"Most of the wildlife killed are tigers and elephants. They are hunted for their skin, tusks and other organs, which are smuggled to Thailand and onward to other countries, including China.
"The syndicates are making big money from their activities as tiger meat can fetch around RM300 per kg while an elephant tusk can go for more than RM1,000 each."

The "harvest" from the animals are believed to be used for a variety of purposes, including to make traditional medicine.
According to sources, the activities were previously limited to Jeli, but the poachers have since expanded to neighbouring Kuala Krai, especially Dabong and Jelawang, which form part of the Gunong Stong state park.

The source said the authorities, especially the Wildlife Department, had identified those involved but could not detain them due to lack of evidence.
"Wildlife officers have gone into the jungle to track them down but only managed to find tents, which had been abandoned by the syndicate members."
It was learnt that the department's rangers were still monitoring the areas round-the-clock to prevent the group from entering the jungles.
"Sometimes, the officers go undercover to avoid detection. However, they were at times spotted by syndicate members who then abort their mission into the jungle," said a villager who declined to be named.

The villager claimed some syndicate members were not locals and would return to the area when the department's officers were no longer present in the vicinity.
"I recognised the hunters as they regularly stop at a nearby coffee shop and would spend hours there discussing their plans or waiting for friends," said the villager. Additional reporting by Aliza Shah

The Star Online, 26 December 2013
BY J. KUGAN

Animals falling victim to violence, abuse and neglect continue to make headlines in Malaysia. We look back at six of the 2013’s worst animal scandals.


Although Malaysians would rather forget the horrifying photos and reports of cruelty against animals that have become commonplace in our social media feeds, it’d be heartless to ignore the reality of what’s happening.
From the poisoning of endangered elephants to the inhumane killing of unwanted strays, the evidence is clear that Malaysians need to step up efforts to protect the well-being of our animal friends, lest we see more of these sickening cases of unchecked cruelty.


Warning: Some of the videos and pictures are very upsetting – we advise viewer discretion.

Pygmy elephants poisoned in Sabah
A baby elephant caressing its lifeless mother: That was the heart-tugging image that caused an international scandal in January when 14 pygmy elephants – 10 females and four males aged between four and 20 years – were found dead in Sabah’s Gunung Rare Forest Reserve. When news broke out that the endangered pachyderms had succumbed to poisoning, allegedly by workers in oil palm plantations bordering the reserve, it hit home hard.
How much of our natural fauna are we willing to sacrifice for profit? Despite rewards posted for information on the culprits, it’s doubtful we’ll ever know what really happened. Our only consolation is that Baby Joe, who had stayed beside his mother’s carcass for days before being found, is doing well.



Sun bear and stallion poisoned in Malacca
Barely a month after the elephant poisoning in Sabah, a 14-year-old female Malayan sun bear and Arabian stallion at Malacca Zoo and Night Safari fell victim to poisoning by an elderly businessman from Johor. CCTV footage from the Feb 17 incident showed the man in the zoo feeding the animals fruit that had been laced with toxin.
It could’ve been worse: poisoned fruits were also found in the chimpanzee and orang utan enclosures. What drove the man to poison these beautiful creatures? Apparently, it was out of resentment due to the fact he had previously owned a zoo that was shut down. His confiscated animals had been moved to Malacca Zoo where some later died due to mishandling.


Stray dogs violently killed  
In late September, a gruesome video showing dogcatchers dragging and eventually strangling a stray dog was uploaded by Malaysian Independent Animal Rescue (MIAR) activist Puspa Rani to her YouTube account. Even though there had been other videos showing similar acts of council-related abuse of strays all over the country, this one touched a nerve and went viral, clocking up to more than 100,000 hits to date.
MIAR claims that the dogcatchers – in this instance, hired by the Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) – disregard all the recommended protocols for the humane handling of strays. MPKj, on the other hand, denies any wrongdoing, claiming that MIAR’s allegations are baseless.
Despite the finger-pointing and denials, the video – almost seven minutes of pure torture – speaks for itself.


Kitten sealed in a jar by Johor youths
Two Malaysian youths from Johor Baru caused a Facebook uproar in September when they posted photos of themselves posing with a kitten they had put inside a sealed jar. The photos caused such serious consternation among cat lovers that Mark Soh, founder of the Malaysian Crime Awareness Campaign Facebook page, lodged a report to the Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals (SPCA) against the offending duo.


Even after Ai Knowl claimed that the kitten is still alive and apologised for what he calls a silly joke, netizens were not satisfied. One of them said, "I cannot accept your 'sorry'. It's a wonder if he doesn't get death threats."


Until now, the duo have not been charged with anything.

Australians upset over mistreatment of goats
The ethical treatment of animals can sometimes be a touchy issue, especially across national and cultural boundaries. In May, animal rights group Animals Australia highlighted the issue of how Malaysians mistreat live Australian wild goats that had been exported to our country with a hidden camera footage.
Though Malaysians may find it hard to accept the fact that some of our cultural practices may be perceived as cruel, perhaps it’s high time we take another look at how we really treat animals in our daily lives.
​

Return of Anson Wong AKA “Lizard King”  
In November, Al Jazeera reported that Anson Wong AKA the “Lizard King” is back in business. Notorious for being one of the world’s worst wildlife traffickers, Wong was last arrested in 2010 at KL International Airport when he attempted to smuggle 95 boa constrictors to Indonesia.
Although he was sentenced to five years in jail, he was freed in 2012 despite overwhelming protest from the public.
Wong’s licenses for legitimate wildlife trading has since been revoked but the Al Jazeera video report entitled “Return Of The Lizard King” claims that he and his wife have resumed their illicit business from their base in Penang.
Both Wong and the Malaysian authorities have yet to respond to the allegations made in the video report, but we know that old habits die hard, and while the Lizard King lives on, the real victims – exotic lizards, snakes and tortoises – continue to suffer ignominious ends.

Three of the Zoo’s conservation partners, ARCAS Animal Rescue in Guatemala, the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center, and the Bay Area Puma Project are the main beneficiaries of the proceeds, which were collected from each Zoo admission fee.
"Oakland Zoo’s Quarters for Conservation funding will provide vital support for the Bay Area Puma Project, a long term research and conservation project focusing on mountain lions, essential ecosystem members, at the wildland interface,” said Zara McDonald."
The Bay Area’s Oakland Zoo is proud to announce that Quarters for Conservation, a program to promote wildlife conservation efforts, has raised more than one hundred thousand dollars. Three of the Zoo’s conservation partners, ARCAS Animal Rescue in Guatemala, the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center, and the Bay Area Puma Project are the main beneficiaries of the proceeds, which were collected from each Zoo admission fee. The remaining funds will support Oakland Zoo’s other conservation partnerships and efforts.


“Our many thanks to Oakland Zoo and the entire zoo community,” said Colum Muccio, ARCAS Administrative Director. “The Quarters for Conservation program is an amazing example of how we can all connect across the globe to protect endangered wildlife.”


“Oakland Zoo’s Quarters for Conservation funding will provide vital support for the Bay Area Puma Project, a long term research and conservation project focusing on mountain lions, essential ecosystem members, at the wildland interface,” said Zara McDonald President, Felidae Conservation Fund. “Healthy mountain lion populations are threatened by an increase in human activities and development in the San Francisco region and the support of the zoo will make a difference for our lions.”


For the past twelve months, twenty-five cents of every Zoo guest admission has been collected and put into a Quarters for Conservation Fund, aimed at saving species in the wild; therefore, each visit a guest has made to the Zoo resulted in a twenty-five cent donation to conservation. Through a voting station, where visitors cast their votes for their favorite project, $13,221 was raised for ARCAS animal rescue in Guatemala, $16,272 was collected for the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center, and $21,357 was gifted to the Bay Area Puma Project.
“Quarters for Conservation has been a great success – not only does it create support for wildlife, but it gives our visitors a sense of connection to species here and around the globe, and we hope the experience turns their visit into an act of conservation they can be proud of,” said Amy Gotliffe, Conservation Director at Oakland Zoo.


Quarters for Conservation began in 2011 and over the past two years the program has raised over $200,000 for Zoo conservation partners and projects. Each year during the month of October, three new organizations are chosen to be the main beneficiaries of the fund’s proceeds. Oakland Zoo staff members and volunteers vote to determine which conservation programs to highlight and take great pride in helping save species in the wild. Guests of the Zoo are given a special voting token upon entering the Zoo. The token is then used for voting at the conservation station located in the Zoo’s Flamingo Plaza. The votes determine how much funding will go to each project. During 2011-2012, Zoo visitors voted to help protect chimpanzees in Uganda, conserve African elephants in Kenya, and to help keep the California condor alive in the wild.


For 2013-2014, guests of Oakland Zoo are encouraged to Leap into Action for the Mountain Legged Frog (Mountain Yellow-Legged Frog Project), Reach High for Reticulate Giraffe (The Reticulated Giraffe Project), or Look Out for Lions (Uganda Carnivore Program).


“We are honored and greatly appreciate the opportunity to be one of Oakland Zoo's Quarters for Conservation partners. We thank the zoo and their visitors for their support of our work in the conservation of Uganda’s lions, leopards and hyenas,” said Ludwig Siefert, Team-Leader of Uganda Carnivore Program and James Kalyewa, Sen. Research Assistant at Uganda Carnivore Program.
In October of 2014, votes will be collected and monies will be donated to three conservation partners.


about 2013-2014 Conservation Partners:
Leap into Action for the Mountain Yellow Legged Frog. Once an abundant native of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the mountain yellow-legged frog is now facing extinction due in part to the highly lethal chytrid fungus. However, thanks to the anti-fungal baths developed by San Francisco State University’s Mountain Yellow-Legged Frog Project, there is hope for these frogs and amphibians around the world.


Look Out for Lions. “The King of the Jungle” is in trouble. African lion populations have declined from 200,000 in the 1980s to under 30,000 individuals today due to human development and the resulting human-wildlife conflict. Through research, education, and providing sustainable income opportunities for people in and around Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park, the Uganda Carnivore Program aims to create a habitat fit for a king.


Reach High for the Reticulated Giraffe. The tallest mammal in the world is in serious decline. Reticulated giraffes have had an 80 percent drop in numbers in the last decade due to poaching and habitat loss. The Reticulated Giraffe Project in Kenya aims to discover what giraffes eat, how their family groups function, and where they go when roaming the savannah. Through the power of information, help for this iconic figure of Africa is within reach.
About Oakland Zoo:

The Bay Area’s award-winning Oakland Zoo is home to more than 660 native and exotic animals. The Zoo offers many educational programs and kid’s activities perfect for science field trips, family day trips and exciting birthday parties. Nestled in the Oakland Hills, in 500-acre Knowland Park, the Zoo is located at 9777 Golf Links Road, off Highway 580. The East Bay Zoological Society (Oakland Zoo) is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization supported in part by members, contributions, the City of Oakland and the East Bay Regional Parks. For more information please visit our website at http://www.oaklandzoo.org.
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For more than 75 years, the East Bay Zoological Society EBZS has managed and operated both the Zoo and surrounding Knowland Park for the City of Oakland since 1982. Under its management, the Oakland Zoo presents an award-winning experience for visitors, fosters knowledge and understanding of animals and the environment through educational programs, and has earned national awards and international acclaim for its animal management and endangered species conservation programs. Over the years, exhibit by exhibit, the Oakland Zoo has been reinvigorated and revitalized, making it a place where animals thrive and visitors enjoy. For more information, please visit our website at http://www.oaklandzoo.org.

Text by Kara Huggins (Intern from the University of the Sunshine Coast)
Photos by BSBCC staffs
​
Natalie, Latin for "birthday", referring to the birthday of Christ, or Christmas, seemed a fitting name for the arrival at BSBCC of a 3 month old orphan sun bear on the 23rd of December, 2010. From the time of her rescue by the Sabah Wildlife Department through to her rearing by the BSBCC keepers and her introduction to the outdoor enclosure, Natalie has shown courage, determination and a natural instinct allowing her to quickly develop into a confident, forest loving sun bear and the group leader of Ah Lun, Runggus and Julaini.
As soon as the forest door opens in the morning she is out exploring using her boundless energy to climb high into her favorite tree, foraging for a meal of insects using her long tongue and sharp claws.Here are the photos show Natalie in different age and grow.

Natalie is fiercely independent and has developed all the necessary bear instincts to qualify her to be released back into the wild once funds are found to start the rehabilitation process.
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Merry Christmas to all! Share the love!

BSBCC wishes supporters, friends and family a

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
Thank you so much for your tremendous support.
May your Christmas be filled with the warmth of family and friends!
Merry Christmas to all! Share the love!

An adult male sun bear's story

Text by Alla Sapiro
Photos by Chiew Lin May
4/Dec/2013
This was the first day of Kudat's training to go outside for the first time. This was afternoon. We spread food and honey onto both the cage ramp and the training pen ramp as well as some on the forest floor. Within the first 30 minute session I observed him pacing most of the time. He very briefly went over to the outside doors and sniffed food a few times and seemed very curious, but was very unsure and nervous with the idea of even reaching out the door. He seemed very agitated the whole session and seemed to be upset and confused with why all the other bears got food inside their cages, where his is in this strange and foreign place.

6/Dec/2013
On the second training session we prepared the ramps with food the same way. This was in the morning. When we opened the outside doors Kudat right away went to sniff the food outside the door. He then moved to the training pen and walked around and explored his surroundings. He proceeded to go back and forth from cage 2 to the training pen. He would still be pacing quite a bit, but seemed less agitated than  the previous day. He came up to the outside doors and looked outside and sniffed the food with much more confidence that nothing bad was going to happen. At about 2/3 into the session Kudat finally put his paw out for a piece of fruit from cage 2. He did not retrieve fruit and brought his paw back in. A minute later he did this again and successfully retrieved and ate a piece of fruit! He then went back to the training pen and started licking honey and grabbing fruit. He continued  to eat even with bear aggression barking noises in the background. It didn't appear to phase him at all. He then went to cage 2 looking for more food. He started getting agitated and started pacing. He went back and forth to the 2 ramps in search of food he could reach without stepping outside. He was unsuccessful in this and made no move to step outside. Then the session is over.


7/Dec/2013
This is the third day of training. This took place in the morning. The ramps were prepared with food the same way. As soon as the doors were opened Kudat went to the door in cage 2 and grabbed and ate food. He then went to the training pen and went directly to the outside door and did the same. He then spent some time in cage 2 out of sight. He grabbed and ate some more fruit from cage 2. He moved to the training pen and stood up to look and sniff outside. Then the session is over.


8/Dec/2013
Morning to afternoon we opened the doors for Kudat for the whole day during bear house operation hours. We did not observe where Kudat could see us, but hidden from afar. Kudat did not step on the ramp.


9/Dec/2013
Using our same new tactic we observed from afar and kept the doors open the whole work day. Kudat finished the porridge and fruit he could reach without taking a step on the ramp.


10/Dec/2013
We did the same food arrangement on the ramps and again left doors open all day and observed from afar. Kudat again finished the food he could reach but he did not step out.


11/Dec/2013
Same food arrangement, doors open all day and viewing from afar. Kudat at what he could reach and he did not step out.

12/Dec/2013
Azzry had the idea to try something different today. The doors were open the whole working day like normal and viewing from afar, but he didn't put any food on the ramp and simply threw a coconut outside. Kudat went and sniffed at the door, then he went to the training pen door and looked out and sniffed. Then he went back to cage 2, climbed down the ramp, grabbed the coconut and carried it back to cage 2 to eat. We were so proud of him!

13/Dec/2013
Food was spread on the ramp and Kudat was allowed to go out to pen D for the work day. He just grabbed the food he could reach and didn't step out.


14/Dec/2013
Same arrangements. Tommy saw Kudat go outside and quickly go back to the bear house.


15/Dec/2013
No food was spread on the ramp and Azzry put the coconut outside. It took Kudat 25 minutes of sniffing looking and then finally goes outside and grabs the coconut and brings it back into the cage to eat. For the evening feeding he just goes right out and eats. He stays out for a long time and explores his surroundings, but stays close to the ramps. Azzry saw him playing with mud.
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16/Dec/2013
Food was put outside and Kudat went out during evening feeding and brings his food back to the bear house. He was alert with sounds of the forest and people being around and working. He stayed outside the longest so far and roamed and explored his surroundings, but again didn't go too far from the door to Pen D. He also interacted with Manis, a female adult sun bear who is next door in Pen E. This day was a success in Kudat becoming much more comfortable and acclimated to his surroundings. Good job Kudat!
19/Dec/2013
This day food was not spread on the ramp and the door was opened in the morning. Kudat didn't even hesitate and he went outside right away. He stayed outside the whole day and explored his entire surroundings. He didn't come back till the end of the work day. This was a very positive result that Kudat is completely confident that he is safe to go outside and enjoy himself in the forest.

Text and Photos by Alla  Shapiro
I voluntered with Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center for 1 month this winter. My job was animal husbandry. My main duties were preparing and distributing food to the bears, cleaning cages, creating enrichment food toys and cage structures for the bears to be entertained and to excersize their senses, observations of bear habits and reactions in different situations and general cleaning, caretaking, and repairs associated with being a keeper. I found this experience to be very rewarding to get the feel for what it's like to work in animal husbandry and with an extremely endangered and amazing animal.

I was one of the first two people to be a paying volunteer. It may seem very expensive but it was well worth it. You are paying to be provided with accommodtion  as well as helping to provide BSBCC with desperately needed funds.
I would recommend this to anyone who wants to feel part of something bigger than yourself and to help take a small step in righting the wrongs we have made in creating pollution, destroying habitat, and general abuse of our planet and the animal species who live here. My hope is that it is not to late to keep sun bears and all other endangered animals from becoming extinct due to human related causes. It is our responsibility to respect all living things and our earth which gives us life.

As a volunteer I feel like I've done something important, fun, interesting and different. My background has very little to do with working with animals and this was a great opportunity to not only work with an unusual and endangered animal but also to live and be immersed in another country. I enjoyed most aspects of the job with of course my favorite part being the observations and interactions with the bears.
Sun Bears Photos

Free Malaysia Today, 18th December 2013
By Alfian ZM Tahir

SANDAKAN: Helarctos Malayanus or Sun Bear is often perceived as a fierce and ferocious animal due to its large canines and sharp claws, but the truth is that this black fur-coated animal is actually a shy and doting creature.
While the Sun Bear or Honey Bear as some call it can be easily found in the tropical rainforest of South East Asia. few are aware of its unique history and origin.


According to 44 year old biologist, Wong Sie Te, the Sun Bear is not just any ordinary black bear.
“The name itself carries a unique identity. Helarctos means Sun Bear and Malayanus refers to Malaya – our own old history before independence,”


“Long before Merdeka, western researchers and scientists discovered the Sun Bear in Malaya and because of that the scientific name of the bear carries the word Malaya. It was found in our rainforest and this bear is very different from other types of bears around the world,”


“Sun Bear is the smallest of the bear and they have exceptionally long tongue to extract insect and honey. They can eat durian and coconut too. They are omnivores as they feed on termites and ants,” Wong explained.
Wong, who is also a veterinarian said his curiosity and love for the animal began while he was studying in the United States and after he was asked by his American professor to study more on the animal.


But it was only after he visited several Sun Bears in captivity he then realised that a conservation centre is needed to protect this special species from extinction as commercial hunting for the bears were becoming a major threat.
“The bears came to me and they chose me. I was a student and I was asked by the lecturer to study more on them just because I come from Malaysia,”


“And I find it disturbing to see them in cages thus the idea came to me to open up a conservation centre and a research centre for us to learn more about them,”
“There are two major threats – first is habitat destruction for development purposes. The bears got nowhere to go and they die and in some cases they were shot dead by poachers,”


“Number two is commercial hunting. Sun Bear’s gall bladders are very famous amongst Asians. Not just South East Asians but Asians. They consider it as a traditional medicine and it is quite pricey,” he said.


Changing public perception
In 2008, Wong’s hard word paid off as he successfully opened the Sun Bears Conservation Centre (BSBCC) in collation with the Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) and the Sabah Forestry Department (SFD).
SWD is responsible for the bears while the SFD is managing the forest. A tripartite agreement has enabled the BCBSS to have its own land area for Sun Bear consevation efforts.


The BCBSS centre provides the rehabilitation and release of orphaned and captive sun bears as well as disseminates information and knowledge about Sun Bears to the public.


Wong told FMT that to address the problem mentioned earlier, the centre provides a facility to house captive and orphaned sun bears in indoors and outdoors forest enclosures before it can be release back into the wild.
“It is like a rehab centre where the bears are kept and train before they can be release. All the bears here were rescued from Sabah. As for now we have rescued 28 bears,”


“Not all the bears will be released, those who are qualified enough to go back into the wild will be let go others will be staying in this conservation centre.
“Here they are free to roam everywhere as the centre is built inside a rainforest and the only difference is they are not 100 percent out into the wild,”
Wong also expressed his gratitude towards the Sabah state government for funding his project where he has been given the opportunity to run the centre and to conduct more research on the animal.


“The centre received funding from several bodies but the Sabah state government helped us a lot. From research centre to educational program they have been really supportive,” he said.


When asked about public perception and awareness campaign, Wong admitted that many needs to be done by the centre in order to reach the public while describing that the lack of information on the issue is still a major factor that have to be tackle.


“We are looking at a series of campaign and movement. We realise that it is vital to promote knowledge on the issue,”
“Many people still have limited idea or information about Sun Bears, although cases of commercial hunting have gone down, but we still need to create awareness and I believe, all of us must work together, however, thanks to the rapid growth of internet, we can now reach the community in a much easier way,” he said.


FMT campaign
Last weekend FMT Borneo Plus, a sister site of FMT dedicated to news from Sabah and Sarawak, launched its four-month long Save The Sun Bears campaign at the BSBCC in Sepilok and in Harbour Mall in Sandakan.


The campaign runs from now until Easter in April and involves reports and articles on conservation, Sun Bears as well as Sabah and Sarawak’s wildlife. It will also highlight the work done at various levels by the Sabah state government agencies and conservationists.


The campaign’s launch, which was supported by the Four Points by Sheraton Sandakan hotel and the KL-based MMICARE Association, is a prelude to BCBSS’s own opening of centre to the general public next month.


The new centre was constructed on the site of an existing run-down indoor bear house at SOURC along with an adjacent former rhinoceros enclosure and 2.5 hectares of intact forest.
​
The two bear houses will be linked to a total of eight large outdoor fenced enclosures in the surrounding natural forest.

New Straits Times, 18th December 2013
By Roshidi Abu Samah
​

GRIK: A 50kg Sun Bear, which was caught in a snare, was rescued by the Perak Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) team at a hilly area at Km52 of the East-West Highway in Banding near here on Monday.
Perak Perhilitan director Fakhrul Hatta Musa said the adult bear was discovered some 250 metres from the road by the villagers whho later informed the authorities.
 

He said Perhilitan personnel from Grik and Jeli, Kelantan, including four armed personnel, were involved in the rescue operations which started at 5pm.
 

"The team used a sedative before cutting the trap to set the bear free.
 

"The operation ended at 6.45pm and the bear was brought to our office in Grik for further inspection," he said here today.