BSBCC 20th rescued Sun Bear – Rungus
It all begins with an idea.
Text by Wai Pak Ng
Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre received the 20th rescued sun bear on 12th November 2010. This bear is a female adult sun bear that was kept in the Victory Mini Zoo Farm, Kudat, Northern Sabah.
Last month, Ms Reanne Potter and her husband from Australia visited Sabah including this mini zoo . They saw this sun bear and other animals kept in a very inhumane way at the local mini zoo. The couple felt very sorry to the animals and tried to help them. At first, they found Free the Bear from the internet and communicate with them. Eventually, the news was forwarded to us. Without any delay, BSBCC made a report to Sabah Wildlife Department and a rescue operation was carried out by the Wildlife Rescue Unit.
I would like to express greatest appreciation to Ms Reanne Potter and her husband who carried out their social responsibilities and care to our wildlife. Special thank you to Free the Bear for the networking and cooperation. Also, I would like to say a big thank you to the Sabah Wildlife Department for their swift respond and action.
BSBCC is glad to receive our new sun bear and named this female as Rungus, which is the name of the tribal people who lives in Northern Sabah. As usual, Rungus will be living in our quarantine area for a month before we could move her to our new bear house to start her rehabilitation training.
David and I carried out Rungus from the truck.
Preparing to release Rungus from the translocation cage into the quarantine enclosure in our old bear house.
This is a very typical "alert" posture for a sun bear checking out a new area for potential threats. Of every new comer, they will show various degree of nervous to the new environment.
Rungus settled down very fast in the quarantine area. She was patrolling confidently around the enclosure.
Minutes later, her natural instinct tells her there were some interesting stuff hind inside the rock pool. Then she managed to get some ants. Good job Rungus!
In the next morning, Rungus continued exploring her new enclosure. She proves that she is still a good climber.
Rungus’s full portraits. A healthy and fit adult female.
This is Rungus chest mark, just like every sun bears has their own unique patterns.
Rungus has a tiny split on her tongue.
In fact, Rungus is very tame to the keeper. She never bothers to let us take pictures on her in such a close distance.
She also gets a branch to rest on.
She gets tired, and found the best place for her to rest.
At last, Rungus has her morning siesta in the sleeping basket.