A Sulawesi bear cuscus mother and her cub were released into the Tulabolo-Hungayono wildlife observation track by several officers, Head of the Tulabolo Pinogu Sector of the Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park, Sudarsono, stated in Gorontalo on Thursday.
According to Sudarsono, the two Sulawesi bear cuscuses were captured by some miners looking to keep them.
A member of the forest police's partner community, Ardin Mokodompit, found two miners carrying two Sulawesi bears that they had caught in the forest area, he pointed out.
"After we told them that the animals are protected, they handed them over," Sudarsono remarked.
He stated that persuasive efforts are the key to addressing the problem of residents capturing protected wild animals in the forest area.
In addition, bear cuscus is an endangered animal. This quiet marsupial is named the bear cuscus, as it has grayish-black fur.
Bear cuscuses that inhabit the islands of Sulawesi and Talaud are active during the day and usually spends a lot of their time in the trees' canopies to sleep, rest, or pick louse.
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They move very slowly from one tree to another using their tails, hands, and feet.
Bear cuscuses forms a small group comprising the mother and her baby except during the breeding season. The female and male cuscus live a solitary existence during the breeding season. Adult female bear cuscuses can give birth once to twice a year.
People often mistake bear cuscuses as livestock predators in settlements near forests. However, it is a herbivorous animal, as it consumes fruits and young leaves.
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Translator: Debby M, Kenzu T
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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