Research

Sun bears are the least researched bear species in the world. We believe on-going research is key to this species' protection. 

Difficult terrain, low numbers, and their shy and elusive nature have historically made research difficult. As sun bear's range is exclusively within developing countries, they are also a low priority in government research policies.  

BSBCC provides the capacity to study captive bears up-close and in their natural environment. This facilitates research on captive sun bears and enables preparation for research on wild sun bears. 

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CEO and Founder, Siew Te Wong’s own research directly informed the creation of BSBCC. Siew Te Wong conducted the very first ecological study of wild sun bears in the rainforest of Sabah, Malaysia Borneo in 1998. Since then, his career has focused on the research and ecological conservation of the Malayan sun bear and employed what has been discovered to help save the species through care of bears directly and improvement of their profile. 

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Sun bear research by Siew Te Wong, Founder and CEO

• Gitzen, R.A., J.L. Belant, J.J.Millspaugh, S.T. Wong, A.J. Hearn, J. Ross. 2013. Effective use of radio telemetry for studying tropical carnivores. The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology: 28: 67-83.

• Fredriksson, G., Steinmetz, R., Wong, S.T. & Garshelis, D.L. 2008. Helarctos malayanus. In: IUCN 2009. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2009.1. <www.iucnredlist.org>.

• Wong, S.T. 2006. The Status of Malayan Sun Bears in Malaysia. Pp 66-72 in Japan Bear Network (compiler). 2006. Understanding Asian bears to secure their future. Japan Bear Network, Ibakari, Japan 145 pp

• Wong, S.T., Servheen, C., Ambu, L., Norhayati, A. 2005. Impacts of fruit production cycles on Malayan sun bears and bearded pigs in lowland tropical forest of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. Journal of Tropical Ecology 21:627–639.

• Wong, S. T., Servheen, C. & Ambu, L. 2004. Home range, movement and activity patterns, and bedding sites of Malayan sun bears Helarctos malayanus in the Rainforest of Borneo. Biological Conservation. 119:169-181. [SCI].

• Wong, S.T., C. Servheen, & L. Ambu. 2002. Food habits of Malayan sun bears in lowland tropical forest of Borneo. Ursus. 13:127-136. [SCI]

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Other publications

• Wong, S. T. 2010. Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre in Malaysia Borneo. International Bear News. 19(1):18-19.
• Wong, S. 2009. Sun Bear: The Forgotten Bear. Society & Environment. A monthly magazine published by Zayed International Prize for the Environment. July 2009: 40-42.  

• Wong S.T. & G. Fredriksson. 2006. Sun Bear Adventure Journal. EWCL. 34 pp.

• Wong, S.T. & C. Servheen. 2005.The Bornean Sun Bear and Bearded Pig Research and Conservation Project- a new field project to study the effects of selective logging on Malayan sun bears and bearded pigs in Borneo. International Bear News. 14(4):24. 

• Wong, S.T. & C. Servheen. 2005. New field project to study the effects of selective logging on bearded pigs and sun bears in Borneo. Suiform Soundings. Peccaries, Pigs, and Hippos Specialists Group Newsletter. 5(1):30.

• Wong, S.T. 2003. Dances with sun bears. Malayan Naturalist. 56(3): 20-25.

• Wong, S.T. 2003. Sun bear research on the web. International Bear News. 12(2):9. 

• Wong, S. T. and C. Servheen. 1999. Malaysia Malayan Sun bear Ecology. International Bear News. 8(3):11-12.

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Research partners

• Fruit feeding trials to understand the role of sun bears in seed dispersal. Ongoing Efforts to Understand the Role of Large-Bodied Seed Dispersers in Tropical Asia
  - The University of Nottingham, Kingsborough Community College and BSBCC
  
  

• Thermoregulation and Activity Profile of Sun Bears in Captivity at Bornean Sun Bear Conservation centre
  - University of Sunshine Coast and BSBCC 
  
  

• Developing a Sun Bear Conservation Research Action Plan towards sustainable re-introductions of Bornean sun bears into the forest
  - University of Portsmouth and BSBCC
  
  

• Landscape characteristics associated with the population genetic structure, of sun bears (Helarctos malayanus) in peninsular Malaysia
  - Sunway University and BSBCC
  
  

• Ex-situ and In-situ Conservation Approach for the Malayan Sun Bear (Helarctos malayanus)
  - Griffith University, Danau Girang Field Centre and BSBCC.

• Management of Malayan sun bear in Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, Sepilok Sandakan Sabah, with emphasis on deworming programme
  - Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and BSBCC
  
  

• Supporting threatened sun bears by enhancing rehabilitation and behavioral assessment efforts of captive animals in Borneo
  - San Diego Zoo and BSBCC
  
  

• Enhancing volunteer tourism’s positive effects on orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) and sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) conservation and the volunteer experience in Malaysia and Indonesia
  - Sabah Wildlife Department, Oxford Brookes University and BSBCC
  
  

• The adaptation and movement patterns of reintroduction of rehab sun bear in lowland tropical rainforest of Sabah 
  - Sabah Wildlife Department, Danau Girang Field Centre, Oxford Brookes University and BSBCC.
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• Observations in behavioral patterns of Bornean sun bears (Helarctos malayanus euryspilus) in rehabilitation center tropical rainforest reserve in Sabah, Borneo
  - Oregon State State University and BSBCC