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The BSBCC education outreach programme is continuing to be conducted and this time the BSBCC education team visited schools in Ranau district. We started our outreach programme by joining the Community Policing Programme at Genting Suan Lamba Estate on the 2nd April 2017 organized by HUTAN-Kinabatangan Orangutan Conservation Programme. We were given a chance to share information about sun bear to students and community at Suan Lamba Estate from the talk session and exhibitions that we had prepared. On the next day (3rd April 2017) BSBCC outreach programme continued running in Ranau. We had visited 5 schools in Ranau that involves 2,112 students and 112 teachers. We invited our partners from Hutan-KOCP and Sabah Wildlife Department, Wildlife Rescue Unit (WRU), Danau Girang Field Centre, Borneo Bird Club and Sabah Parks to join us and we organized various environmental education activities for the students. All of the students enjoyed their time learning about the environment and wildlife species through exhibitions, talks and some activities.  Community of Genting Suan Lamba Estate participating in the programme  Exhibition by Sabah Wildlife Department  Students from the school in the estate also have the chance to visit our booth.  Ice breaking session conducted by Jeremy  Clarice from Danau Girang Field Centre delivering her talk to the students  Exhibition from Wildlife Rescue Unit   Alim Biun from Sabah Parks presented his talk to the students Sun Bear interpretation using sun bear mascot  Students of SK Lohan  Arsenia from Wildlife Rescue Unit (WRU) presenting her talk about WRU's works  Prize presentation for animal mask colouring competition  Clouded Leopard interpretation by Alif from HUTAN-KOCP  One of the activities held during the programme is clouded leopard interpretation; one of the students was invited to b the 'clouded leopard'  BSBCC educational booth  Melvin from Sabah Wildlife Department talking about Protected Species of Sabah      Short briefing from Gloria before the programme starts  Receiving token of appreciation from school
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Text and Photos by Chiew Lin May Since being rescued from a village in Sikalabaan, Sabah on February 9th 2017, Sika, a five month old, female sun bear cub, has completed her time in quarantine.  Sika is being bottle fed five times a day in FIDO dog milk replacer She has shown tremendous growth in the last month. She is an active, healthy and beautiful female bear cub. She now weighs 7.25kg.  Chart shows the growth curve of Sika cub (Updated 4th April 2017). Showing Sika is in good health and gain more weight The next rehabilitation phase for Sika is taking her out for walks in the forest. The problem with Sika is that she is still nervous to step out from her dens and the bonding between her surrogate mother is still weak. She was caged alone as a pet in a chicken mesh cage after losing her mother. All little Sika knew was pain and fear. She has needed to gain back confidence and trust towards her new surroundings.  To prepare her in gaining back strength, confidence and trust, we have moved Sika into a larger exercise den with an environment which is as close as possible to life in the wild. This exercise dens is full of natural habitat enrichment such as dead wood, green leaves, leafy browse, climbing structures, a platform, and treats to stimulate and prepare her for life back in the wild.  Bear care team are help to setting up in various type of environmental enrichment We gave Sika the opportunity to venture out for the very first time. Once Sika was brought to the larger exercise den, she was easily stressed by noise and paced with alert at the new larger exercise den. She kept vocalizing and was uncomfortable with it. We tried to comfort and help her adapt to the new environment by showing her new enrichment toys. Sika needed plenty of time. Thankfully, she did it! She calmed down and adapted to it. She decided it was time to explore the whole exercise den. Sun bear cubs require a lot of exercise to practice their physical skills and grow stronger! Her courage has grown with each day and she has started exploring.  Sika naturally curious but also very alert  She becoming more playful and less nervous!  Stretching body before enter exercise dens! She will gaze up at the nearby forest surrounding her exercise dens.  FOREST will be my HOME! She always goes straight to the big log and pulls off its branches. After one week, we are pleased with her progress in finding the strength to venture without any hesitation.   Since little Sika was moved to larger exercise dens, she have been develop at a great rate! Sika is learning to trust her surrogate mother without fear. She will be growing and learning under the guidance of her surrogate mother.  With great love the surrogate mother teach Little Sika how to climb tree! She loves rolling and wrestling, and she is just so happy. Sika has excellent climbing skills. She uses her small curved claws to create a cavity in the climbing log to get the ants. Sometimes she will climb high to get a better look and avoid strange sounds! We envy her tree-climbing skills!!  Curious Sika climbs higher the platform tree  Sika is busy in digging!!  Sika digs the log hole in search of insects and leave distinctive claw marks!  We envy her tree-climbing skills!!  Little more playful!  Tired after play !  Tired after play !  Sika fun, for sure! She is learning and experiencing that life as a wild bear can be great. She knows her tragic past is now behind her and is discovering her natural behavior. She has proven herself to be a sweet natured sun bear! We hope the next move will be taking little Sika on walks in the forest to let her experience the true Bornean environment.  Bring Sika to walk in forest in preparing Sika to live independently in her forest HOME.  Bring Sika to walk in forest in preparing Sika to live independently in her forest HOME. US Ambassador: Protect the nature. The US Ambassador willing to help the local conservation team2/4/2017 Sin Chew Daily, 02nd April 2017            See Hua Daily News, 02nd April 2017                Berita Harian Merdeka, 02 April 2017        Asia Times, 02nd April 2017       Utusan Borneo, 02 April 2017        The Borneo Post, 02nd April 2017       We are very honored to have a visit from the US Ambassador, Kamala Shirin Lakhdir. The founder and CEO of BSBCC, Dr. Wong Siew Te delivered a short presentation on BSBCC's roles and efforts in sun bear conservation in sabah before taking the Ambassador to sun bear viewing at the observation platforms. After that, Ambassador Kamala Shirin Lakhdir also spent some time for story telling (The Wild Tree House of Borneo) to a group of students that visited us on the same day. The students were very happy to meet the Ambassador. On the same day of the Ambassador visit, BSBCC also welcomed another two more school visits from from SJK (C) Ming Chung and SK St. Mary Town, Sandakan. As per usual, the students were briefed with a short presentation on sun bears and later they did some activities such as bears observation and doing bear origami. Thank you for visiting us!  Dr. Wong Siew Te delivered a presentation about BSBCC's roles & effort to the guest of honor.  HE Kamala observing the bear in the enclosure through a spotting scope.  HE Kamala reading a story (Wild Tree House of Borneo) to the students  Group photo!  After story telling session, the students participated in the next activity which they did bear origami. They were happy to show their completed origami!  Students from SK St Mary Town Sandakan posing with their completed bear origami  BSBCC presenting a momento to HE Kamala  Dr. Wong Siew Te receiving a momento from the US Embassy  Students from SJK (C) Ming Chung Sandakan were keen to listen on the presentation about sun bears  Risnayati, our Environmental Education Officer doing a brief explaination to the students for the next activity that is bear observation  Students lining up before going to the platform  Students working in partners during bear observation activity  Bellinda assisting the students during bear observation |
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