By Park Si-soo
A Malayan Sun Bear escaped from its cage in a zoo on the outskirts of Seoul and fled into nearby mountains, police said Monday.
Hundreds of police officer and zoo staffers searched the area but failed to confirm the whereabouts of the 30-kilogram, 6-year-old male bear. A police helicopter was also used in the search.
The black-furred bear was last spotted at the top of Mt. Cheonggye, some 6 kilometers from the park, police said.
Police banned people’s entry to the mountains and hired five rifle-armed hunters.
Zookeepers of Seoul Zoo say it’s small and mild, but cannot rule out the possibility that it could turn violent if it encounters a human.
“Don’t provoke the bear when you encounter it,” an expert said. “Don’t run away and avoid eye-contact with it.”
The zoo believes the bear opened the door of its cage to escape as staffers were distracted while cleaning it up.