West Sumatra BKSDA Responds to Bear Attack on Residents in Talamau

Simpang Empat (ANTARA) - The West Sumatra Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) has deployed a team to handle the appearance of a bear in Labuah Barulak, Nagari Sinuruik, Talamau District, West Pasaman Regency, which attacked three local residents.

“The BKSDA team has gone to the field together with local residents and is still tracking the direction in which the bear fled,” said Ade Putra, Head of Conservation Resort Region II of the West Sumatra BKSDA, in Simpang Empat on Sunday.

He explained that the bear’s appearance in the area had caused concern among nearby residents about potential attacks by the animal.

He said that on Saturday (14/2), at approximately 08:00 Western Indonesian Time, a bear attacked residents who were harvesting rice in the Labuah Barulak area, Nagari Sinuruik, Talamau.

At the time of the incident, the victims were working in the rice paddy area. A bear suddenly emerged from near the location and attacked the residents present.

“Residents near the location immediately provided assistance and secured the situation,” he said.

As a result of the incident, three residents sustained injuries: Aidil Putra (20), a resident of Barulak Sinuruik; Sabri (65), a resident of Talu, Talamau; and Maijasman (63), a resident of Barulak Talamau.

Following the incident, some residents tracked the bear’s trail around the location whilst awaiting the arrival of authorities for further handling. The victims were evacuated for medical treatment and are currently being treated at West Pasaman Regional Hospital and Talu Community Health Centre.

“The situation at the location is gradually becoming stable with increased vigilance from the community,” he said.

Currently, BKSDA officers, including those from BKSDA Agam, the village head and local residents are conducting a search to track the bear’s escape route.