We were invited to attend the World Elephant Day Celebration at Kalabakan District, Sabah on the 14-15 September 2023. The 2-days celebration aimed to raise awareness on elephant conservation among the primary and secondary students in the area, which was also attended by some of the local community. This is a golden opportunity for BSBCC to do a sharing session about the sun bear conservation work done by us since 2008. Of course, wildlife conservation is a collective effort by everyone, and we can start by educating our youngsters.
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Thank you, Sabah Wildlife Department, for the opportunity given to us and for inviting us to the celebration!

Today we received a school visit from SMK Sandakan, with 60 students and 1 teacher. Students were given exposure to how important sun bears are in the forest and unique things about them.

Even though the weather is very hot today, students still got a chance to see the sun bears roaming in the forest enclosure from both observation platforms.
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We hope the students are having a great time here and have gained more new knowledge about sun bears, as well as helping us spread awareness to their friends and family. Thank you and see you guys again!

Today we received a group visit from students from Pra Sekolah SK Jaya Baru, Kinabatangan. They were introduced to the eight bear species and Sun Bear’s fun facts before they were brought to the observation platforms to see the bears roaming in the forest enclosure.
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We hope they enjoyed their time here, and gain new knowledge about Sun Bears and help spread awareness among their friends and family. Thank you for the visit and see you guys again!

In a significant step towards preserving the delicate ecological balance of our planet, The Red Heroes, MBA students from UKM-GSB, proudly hosted the Sun Bear Initiative Program on August 19, 2023, at the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) in Sandakan, Sabah. This initiative, undertaken as part of their MBA project, aimed to raise awareness about the urgent need for sun bear conservation.

With the environment facing numerous challenges, the Sun Bear Initiative Program served as a beacon of hope by bringing together a diverse group of individuals who shared a common goal – safeguarding the unique biodiversity of Sabah. A total of 40 volunteers from FELDA, FGV, and UKM-GSB united their efforts in this noble cause, emphasizing the power of collaboration in tackling complex environmental issues. 

One of the primary objectives of the program was to create widespread awareness about the plight of sun bears, the smallest bear species and a crucial component of the rainforest ecosystem. The participants engaged in hands-on activities, crafting enrichments in the form of toys made from branches, honey, and peanut butter, enhancing the lives of these magnificent creatures while learning about their significance.

The Sun Bear Initiative Program received a significant boost from its generous sponsors, FELDA and FGV, who collectively contributed RM15,000. This sponsorship is earmarked for supporting vital research and educational activities at the BSBCC. Their support not only underscores the private sector's commitment to environmental conservation but also highlights the growing recognition of the importance of corporate social responsibility in preserving our natural heritage.

Beyond FELDA and FGV, additional sponsorship emerged from diverse quarters, including the Department of Survey and Mapping Malaysia (JUPEM), Koperasi Co-opbank Pertama Malaysia Berhad, and enthusiastic members of the community. The collective generosity: both in monetary and non-monetary terms represents the spirit of shared responsibility that underscores such initiatives.

​The Sun Bear Initiative Program aligned its efforts with the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (UN SDSN) Asia Headquarters hosted by Sunway University and Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah (KePKAS), amplified the program's reach and impact, symbolizing a unified commitment across various sectors towards sustainable advancement.

​Remarkably, FELDA and FGV have demonstrated their unwavering dedication to the cause by pledging to sustain this effort for another several years. This commitment speaks volumes about their dedication to the environment and their belief in the program's potential to effect lasting change. The Sun Bear Initiative Program is not merely a one-time event; it represents an ongoing movement that seeks to inspire others and drive continuous action. 

​The success of the Sun Bear Initiative Program showcases how grassroots efforts, boosted by the support of stakeholders, can make a tangible impact on conservation. It serves as a reminder that every individual has a role to play in protecting our planet's biodiversity. As we reflect on the accomplishments of the Sun Bear Initiative Program, let us remember that true transformation begins with awareness and action. The Red Heroes, along with their dedicated volunteers, sponsors, and partners, have ignited a spark of change that has the potential to grow into a wildfire of conservation consciousness. The Sun Bear Initiative Program stands as a testament to what can be achieved when passion and purpose converge in the pursuit of a better world. 


Prepared by:
Muhammad Amiruddin Roselan
Project Director
The Red Heroes Team
MBA Students @ UKM- Graduate School of Business (UKM-GSB)

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Day 1 : An Ecosystem that Provides

This year, BSBCC is participating in the Youth Forum session at the International Conference on Heart of Borneo (HoB): An Ecosystem that Provides. The event takes place at the Sabah International Convention Centre, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, from August 23–24, 2023.
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The Youth Forum session provides a platform and aims to inspire more youth to be involved in or support conservation work. It is great that the youth are able to share their stories and passion.
discuss environmental and conservation issues through workshops and suggest ways in which youth can play a role in addressing environmental and conservation issues.

Day 2: A Ecosystem that Provides 

The Youth Forum session provides a platform to inspire more youth to be involved in or support conservation work. It is great that the youth are able to share their stories and passion, discuss environmental and conservation issues through workshops and suggest ways in which youth can play a role in addressing environmental and conservation issues.

Thank you to everyone who visited and stopped by our booth during this two-day event. We hope that everyone will take their own role to help us spread awareness about sun bears and their habitat. Save Sun Bear!

​This week, our Education team visited the Gilwell Scouts Nature Park in Sandakan to be part of Scout Camp 2023 (Sibuga District). This camp comprises around 200 scouts from different primary and secondary schools in Sandakan. Our team was assigned a two-hour time period for educational activities. Besides an informative talk, our team conducted a Bingo game and a sun bear yell contest. During the closing ceremony, a booth for the exhibition was also set up. This event gave us the chance to raise public awareness of nature and wildlife conservation as well as introduce BSBCC's efforts to conserve the world's smallest bear, the sun bear.

We would like to say thank you to Prasekolah SK Seri Manis, Sandakan for the visit today! The students were first briefed on the safety rules and Sun Bear information before to the bear observation platforms.
They were happy to see the rescued bears around the forest enclosures.

​We hope they had a great time here and gained some new knowledge about Sun Bears, while helping us to spread awareness by sharing experiences with their friends and family! Thanks again for visiting BSBCC, and hope to see you guys again!

We are having a great day today as we welcome the participants of the Environmental Education Race (Group M - EERACe26). Our education team prepared several tasks and activities for them to learn more about sun bears and BSBCC. It is amazing to see all of them giving their best to complete each task and having fun while at our Centre. We hope that they will be able to explain the significance of the BSBCC in protecting the sun bears to other teams during their final presentation. Good luck, Group M!

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