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 will be 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.
A design for the new Centre has been produced by architect Ian Hall. 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. As there are currently 12 previously confiscated bears living in extremely cramped quarters (capacity for 7) in an old bear house on the site, the project has been divided into three phases of construction to expedite completion of at least one block of bear houses and outdoor enclosures so that these bears may be moved into appropriate accommodations as soon as possible.
Phase I of the BSBCC will involve construction of one new bear house (Block 1) with capacity for 20 bears, along with forested enclosures. The 12 existing bears on site will be moved into this new facility as soon as it is completed, hopefully by the end of 2009. Phase II of the project will commence after completion of Phase I, 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 (Block 2) 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 the Alexander Abraham Foundation, the Flying Elephant Foundation, Nancy Abraham, Oakland Zoo Keepers and members, Oakland Zoo, Oregon Zoo, Little Rock Zoo, Woodland Park Zoo, Tanya Rosen, the Muchnic Foundation, Cheryl Grunbock and Martin King Foundation, Michael Hackett, Kennon and Bob Hudson, Steven and Florence Goldby, AZA Bear TAG, BEARTREK (Wildlife Media Inc.), John Taylor, Wildlife Conservation Network, Sekolah Kebangsaan Bukit Damansara (Bukit Damansara School), and individual donations through Wildlife Direct.
In addition, LEAP put on a first-of-its-kind fundraiser in Sabah for the BSBCC in November. With the Chief Minister of Sabah as the guest of honour, the “Bear Necessities” event included a simulated “bear cage” where attendees were held captive before the dinner, music and performances by leading Malaysian artists and celebrities, sun bear videos and individual stories, and a live auction of special sun bear– themed
artwork. The event was a huge success, raising over USD$330,000 for the BSBCC. This included numerous companies that purchased tables for the event, as well as a very generous matching pledge by the Sabah State Government. These funds, along with the individual donations, have ensured that Phase I construction may commence immediately!
In the meantime, Wong continues his efforts to raise awareness for this neglected but charismatic species. Wong has appeared recently on Malaysian TV and is featured (with the bears) in an international documentary film called BEARTREK, which should be released in 2009. 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:
