{"id":19,"date":"2015-09-12T22:28:03","date_gmt":"2015-09-12T14:28:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mysabah.com\/wordpress\/?p=19"},"modified":"2015-09-12T22:46:30","modified_gmt":"2015-09-12T14:46:30","slug":"bornean-sun-bear","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mysabah.com\/wordpress\/bornean-sun-bear\/","title":{"rendered":"Bornean Sun Bear, the smallest bear in the world"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cuteness is a curse to wildlife. You would think so after seeing the Sun Bears of Borneo, which are also known as Beruang Madu<\/em> (Honey Bear), Malayan Bear, or Dog Bear. As the smallest bear in the world, Bornean Sun Bear looks just like a walking teddy bear. Its cub is as adorable as a puppy, so many people keep it as pet.<\/p>\n

\"Bornean<\/a>
Bornean Sun Bear is a sub-species of Malayan Bear<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

However, when sun bear grows up, it’ll become a predator about 120-150cm tall and weigh up to 60 Kg. With long claws and big canine teeth that can rip apart a coconut in seconds, it’ll be very intimidating to its owner, then it would end up spending the rest of its life in a small cage, or being abandoned. <\/p>\n

\"Kungfu<\/a>
Sun Bear is Kungfu Panda of Malaysia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Bear cub, which is used to living with people, will lose its ability to survive in the wild. Some even forget that they are bear. When they are free, they will look for people and cause a commotion in village nearby. This is a sad but typical story of a sun bear, whose mother was probably killed by poachers and it was kept as a pet.<\/p>\n

\"Sun<\/a>
Named as Fulung, when this male sun bear is curious, he would stand up on his hind legs like a human.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sun bears are found throughout South-East Asia, but Bornean Sun Bear (Helarctos malayanus euryspilus<\/em>) is a subspecies half the size of Malayan Sun Bear (Helarctos malayanus malayanus<\/em>) and found only in Borneo.<\/strong> <\/p>\n

\"Bornean<\/a>
Bornean Sun Bear is the smallest bear in the world<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Due to illegal poaching and deforestation, there are probably less than 10,000 of Bornean Sun Bears left. I’ve seen orangutan many times in the wild but saw sun bear only once, they are highly endangered, I believe.<\/p>\n

Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center (BSBCC)<\/h3>\n

In 1998, a journey to Sabah changed the life of Mr. Wong Siew Te (\u9ec3\u4fee\u5fb7), a wildlife biologist from Penang (Malaysian state). He studied the ecology of sun bears in Borneo rainforest and fascinated by this smallest, most arboreal and least researched bear, and he was heart broken to see the suffering of captive sun bears everywhere. <\/p>\n

\"Sun<\/a>
Sun bear in cage of a mini-zoo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

He always calls sun bears the forgotten bears<\/em>, because they are not getting the same spotlight and protection like Polar Bears and Panda. Sun bear is a favorite target of poachers because of its highly priced gall bladder. Wong knew, if he didn’t do anything, the only fate of this beautiful creature is extinction. <\/p>\n

\"Gate<\/a>
Gate to Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center (BSBCC)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In 2008, Wong started Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center<\/strong> (BSBCC) in Sandakan, for conservation and rehabilitation of Bornean sun bears. After some years of fundraising and support from government, public and NGOs, BSBCC was fully operational and open to public in 2014. This brings new hope to our sun bears because they receive attention that they long deserve.<\/p>\n

\"Wong<\/a>
Wong Siew Te, the founder of Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center (BSBCC)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“The world is not changed by people who sort of care. …The world is changed by people who passionately, relentlessly care\u2013 sometimes, unreasonably so.” -Sally Hogshead<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"Layout<\/a>
Layout map of Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center (BSBCC)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

BSBCC is located just next to Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center<\/a> and inside 2.5-Hectare Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve. <\/p>\n

\"Visitor<\/a>
Ticketing Counter & Visitor Center<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Visitors only need to walk about 5 minutes to enter the visitor center and observation platform of BSBCC from orangutan sanctuary.<\/p>\n

Ticket Fees<\/h4>\n

BSBCC opens from 9am to 3:30pm to public daily.<\/strong> Visitors can just walk in and buy a ticket to enter the Center. The following is the rate of ticket (can be used on same day for multiple entry). The prices have included 6% GST (or VAT) Tax:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/th>\nMalaysian<\/th>\nForeigner<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Adult (18 years old & above)<\/td>\nRM5.30<\/td>\nRM31.80 (≈USD$8.50)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
12-17 years old<\/td>\nRM2.10<\/td>\nRM15.90 (≈USD$4)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Children (Below 12)<\/td>\nFree<\/td>\nFree<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Senior Citizen (above 55 years)<\/td>\nFree<\/td>\nRM31.80 (≈USD$8.50)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

This is not a zoo, so be kind to the bears. Feeding, calling and disturbing the bears are prohibited. You are welcome to take their photos but please don’t use camera flash.<\/p>\n

\"Information<\/a>
Information board about Sun Bear (available in English, Chinese and Malay languages)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Besides conservation of sun bears, BSBCC is an educational site to show visitors the mysterious life of Bornean Sun Bears. A few information boards with info and photos of sun bear are erected along the stairway to sun bear viewing area. By the time you reach the observation platform, you already have basic knowledge about the bears.<\/p>\n

\"Tourists<\/a>
Tourists checking out the sun bears<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Observation Platform is where tourists can see the sun bears exploring and foraging in a forest enclosure. As I mentioned, sighting of sun bear is very rare in the wild, but you can see 4 or more of them at the Center. With short, sleek, dark brown or black fur, they look like big dog.<\/p>\n

\"Sun<\/a>
You can take photo of the sun bears, but no flash and don’t call the bears<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Between the bears and visitors is a high wall with a few electrical wires running across it. The 5,000-volt wire can deliver a painful but harmless shock to sun bears which try to climb over the wall. After being zapped a few times, all bears are quick to learn to avoid touching the fence.<\/p>\n

\"Sun<\/a>
Sun bear also builds nest and sleep on tree<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sun bears are forest dependent species and male sun bear needs 15 Sq. KM to find enough food. Sun bears are omnivorous and this natural forest is a good training ground for them to learn to survive in jungle, before they are released to the forest. Sun bears are excellent tree climbers too, and honey and durian are part of their favorite menu.<\/p>\n

\"Telescope<\/a>
Telescope to observe sun bear on tree<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

44 Bears 44 Stories<\/h3>\n

Most bears in BSBCC are victims of illegal captive and pet trade. So far BSBCC has rescued 44 bears, and all of them have a sad story<\/a> in the past. <\/p>\n

\"Sun<\/a>
Sun bears in forest enclosure<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The first bear (named Natalie) was rescued from an illegal pet trade in 2010. She has “graduated” from rehabilitation program of BSBCC and released to her natural habitat on 17th May 2015. The latest member is a 3-month-old cub (Name: Tan-Tan) coming from Paitan in Aug 2015.<\/p>\n

\"Sun<\/a>
This looks like a relaxing pose but the bear is actually under stress<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The rich expression and cute actions of sun bears really amused us. However, according to BSBCC staffs, some of the adorable behaviors are probably a sign of stress, for example, relentless pacing and obsessive grooming. One of them pacing back and forth at the same spot, it was used to do this when locked in small cage, but still carry on this stereotypic movement disorder in forest.<\/p>\n

\"Cute<\/a>
Cute sun bear is always being kept illegally as a pet or show animal in zoo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Another bear, Mary was captured by poacher and kept as pet in Ranau. Because of malnutrition, she has smaller body. She grew up with human so she forgot that she was a bear. Luckily, after mixing and learning from other bears, she is no longer walking on hind legs like human. Damai is probably another bear that thought she was a human. She wandered in residential area of KK after being abandoned by her owner.<\/p>\n

\"Group<\/a>
Group photo with Risnayati, Environmental Education Officer of BSBCC. When talking about bears, her eyes sparkled, as if she was talking about her children<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At BSBCC, the experience is more than just looking at playful sun bears. BSBCC staffs and volunteers are always around the tourists, and they are beary passionate in sharing the individual story and amazing facts about the sun bears.<\/p>\n

\"Bornean<\/a>
Bornean sun bears are half the size of Malayan sun bears<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Same as Orangutan, Sun Bear is totally protected under the Sabah Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997. Hunting or selling them and you could be fined up to MYR 50,000 (USD 16,000) and\/or being jailed up to 5 years. <\/p>\n

\"Sun<\/a>
Sun bears at the Center are free to explore the natural forest<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

However, poachers will still pull the trigger because each sun bear is valued over RM1,000 for its gall bladder (expensive ingredient of traditional Chinese medicine) and meat. You can contact Sabah Wildlife Department<\/a> or BSBCC to report the offense.<\/p>\n

\"Sun<\/a>
Sun bear sleeping on tree<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The forest enclosure could be the first natural environment that some captive sun bears exposed to. A few of them were so afraid of walking out of their bear house to explore. Therefore, it’s great to see some bears such as Debbie is making progress. Debbie was saved from becoming a delicacy in a restaurant in Kota Marudu. She loves to climb high up to the tree for a nap and don’t mind others laugh at her drooling while asleep.<\/p>\n

\"Sun<\/a>
Sun bear is an excellent tree climber and it loves honey<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Climbing is an important skill for sun bears to reach the fruits and honey bee hives on tall trees. Sun bears also build nests on tree to sleep in, which is a dryer and safer resting place to avoid leeches and clouded leopard. Sometimes the staffs have to play the role as a surrogate mother to train sun bear to climb. <\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>
The tongue of Bornean sun bear can reach 20-25 cm long, an adaptation for licking honey and eating termites<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Only in outdoor, sun bears have the opportunity to use their sickle-shaped long claws to dig and ripe apart decayed wood to reach ants, termites and beetle grubs, the important protein source when fruits are scarce. Sun bears also help to build nesting hole for hornbills and flying squirrels after they dig a cavity in the tree for termites and honey.<\/p>\n

\"Feeding<\/a>
Feeding time for sun bears<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

BSBCC also feeds the bears every day so they can enjoy a balanced diet. The Center currently houses 36 rescued sun bears in two houses and a quarantine facility. Rescued bears will go through health check, quarantine, indoor & outdoor rehabilitation, a series of evaluation on fitness, before they are reintroduced to natural habitat. These processes can take a few years.<\/p>\n

\"Bornean<\/a>
Bornean sun bears (Helarxtos malayanus euryspilus<\/em>) are only found in Borneo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

One of the characteristics of sun bear is its beautiful chest mark from cream to orange color with spots. Every bear has unique chest mark like a finger print. Below is a video of BSBCC to see sun bears in action:<\/p>\n