Borneo is home to the world’s smallest bear species, the little-known Malayan Sun Bear (Helarctos malayanus). Originally widespread throughout Southeast Asia, Borneo is now one of the few remaining strongholds for this jungle-dependent mammal. But its home is fast diminishing, with forest degradation and loss pushing this bear to the brink. These bears also continue to be threatened by illegal hunting and poaching for food and medicines, to prevent damage to crops and villages, and to capture small cubs for the pet trade. As a result, in Sabah alone, there are over 30 young orphaned bears living in captivity in small cages and with no access to the outdoors or the forest.
But there is now hope for this special bear in Sabah. An innovative project, the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC), will provide a holistic solution, combining improved facilities for rescuing and housing captive bears, programmes to increase public awareness both locally and internationally, and rehabilitation of young bears for release back into the wild.
The BSBCC is a joint project between Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD), Sabah Forestry Department (SFD) and LEAP, and spear-headed by Malayan Sun Bear researcher and conservationist Wong Siew Te. The new Centre is located on land provided by SWD and SFD adjacent to Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, near Sandakan town. An MOU was signed in November 2008 between SWD, SFD and LEAP and a local non-profit company has been set up to run the Centre, with SWD, SFD and LEAP on the Board and Wong Siew Te as CEO.
The BSBCC will have capacity for 43 bears, and will include two blocks of bear houses, 8 large fenced forested enclosures, quarantine facilities, offices, a visitor centre and viewing platform, and a system of boardwalks. The project has been divided into three phases of construction, and Phase 1, the construction of the first bear house with a capacity of 20 bears, was completed in early 2010. Twelve bears previously kept in cramped quarters in the old bear house were successfully moved into the state-of-the-art new bear house in April 2010.
Since then another 7 bears have been brought to the Centre, bringing the current total to 19. These bears are able to go out into specially designed forest enclosures and are gradually getting used to experiencing their natural habitat again, some after spending many years in small cages. Phase II of the project is due to commence in early 2011, and will include renovation of the old bear house to create offices, a quarantine area and a visitor centre and shop, refurbishment and construction of boardwalks, and construction of a viewing platform overlooking two of the fenced enclosures so that visitors may see the bears in their natural forest habitat. Phase III will include construction of the second new bear house and associated outdoor enclosures. The Centre will be ready to open to the public upon completion of Phase II.
The BSBCC has been supported through its early stages by an ever growing group of partners, including the Sabah government, the private sector, private foundations, zoos and volunteer groups and individuals, both local and international. These key partnerships are critical to the existence and future of BSBCC. For a full list of donors in 2009, click here (BSBCC 2009 ANNUAL REPORT)
BSBCC is also fortunate to have the support of a growing number of volunteer Bear Action Teams or ‘BATs’ groups and individuals who help with construction of infrastructure at BSBCC and with enrichment and husbandry activities, greatly assisting the work of the 3 full-time staff currently on site. In the meantime, Wong continues his efforts to raise awareness for this neglected but charismatic bear species. Wong has appeared on Malaysian TV and is featured (with the bears) in an international documentary film called BEARTREK. Wong also maintains a blog to tell the story of sun bears in Southeast Asia as well as to highlight the progress of the BSBCC. This blog can be found at www.sunbears.wildlifedirect.org.
Further information on the BSBCC, sun bears and Wong Siew Te can be found via the following links:
