Text by Seng Yen Wah
​Photos by Chiew Lin May & Seng Yen Wah

Romolina has just finished her 30 day submission to quarantine! She is settling in well at BSBCC. A full body check-up has been conducted by Dr.Nabila Sarkawi who is a veterinarian from Sabah Wildlife Department. Based on the growth condition of her teeth, we found out she is an estimated age of six months instead of four months old. This is because some of her current teeth which have grown through recently, are now permanent and her adult teeth.
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Romolina was found alone in the forest before being kept as a pet at Romol Village, Sapulut, in the interior division of Sabah, where she lived her life in a small cage. She was rescued by Bob Hartley and Virgil Joon Gunting, who had found out that a villager was keeping Romolina as a pet. They intended to rescue her so they negotiated with the villager who agreed to hand the young cub over to them. The villager said that he/she had kept Romolina for a duration of roughly three months and fed her sausages, porridge and fruits. The improper diet caused Romolina to have a smaller body size. Now that she is being fed a proper, nutritious diet in the care of BSBCC and she now weighs 8.8kg. 

Romolina seems to be attached to humans. When the caretakers are not around, she will suckle and vocalize to seek comfort and safety. Romolina had lost her mother bear, therefore we now have keepers as her surrogate mother. What can the surrogate mother do? Keepers will spend time and play fight with her. Play fighting could teach her how to defend herself. Defence skills is one of the most important survival skills for the bear’s natural rainforest habitats, which can protect themselves from predators.
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Besides the companionship from the keepers, Romalina has also been introduced to many types of enrichments to use throughout her days. Enrichment is a common name for the bears TOYs which can stimulate the action of natural behaviours that we would observe in non-captive Sunbears. Romolina is having different enrichments from day to day! But, her favourite toy is the warm, soft and comfy towel! Romolina is a detailed explorer. She will spend a lot of time exploring the enrichments made for her. Thanks to the care taker, Jeniur who made her a circle platform. She loves to sleep up there. Before sleeping Romalina will adjust and fidget until she finds the perfect spot to fall asleep and snooze like a baby!

​Romolina is a curious bear who explores her environment through continuous sniffing. She loves milk and also loves to keep the milk on her body, by soaking her body in the milk tray. But she does not enjoy her body being too wet and fur remaining damp. Romolina is a good climber. She always climbs up and down to search and explore her environment. She is always very observant to her current surroundings and will keep checking and watching events that happen around her. 

​Romolina has lacked a mother’s love since young age, which makes her feel insecure. The way to help her is integrating her with other bears; making a bear friend can allow them to learn from each other and spend time together. The best enrichment of a bear is another bear! We are looking forward to the integration between her and her bear friend Logan, and hope they will get along well. The cute and lovely friendship is already starting to form between these two little bears. Please stay tuned for the updates to the start of this wonderful friendship! With the help of her friend Logan, the care of keepers and the love from you all, we hope Romolina will grow to into a real bear! 

Text and Photos by Chiew Lin May

 
Little Romolina is a six months old female sun bear cub who was kept in a small cage as a house pet at Kampung Romol, Sapulut, Sabah. 

​The owner claimed that they found the cub alone in the forest and he had kept her in his house. We believed that Romolina’s mom was killed in order to take the cub from the forest. Bob Hartley and Virgil Joon Gunting got knowledge about this cub and quickly helped save her from the villager by negotiating with him to hand over the cub. She was immediately handed over to the Sabah Wildlife Department then sent to BSBCC and placed into quarantine on the same day on July 7th, 2018. During the arrival, she was tiny and weighed 5.95 kg. She was suffering from severe malnutrition. The owner fed Romolina rice, cereals, sausages, fruits and no milk was given to her. She was also being confined in a small cage which restricted her growth. The name “Romolina” was given by the person who rescued her. She was named after the Romol village where she was rescued from.
 
Romolina is the youngest female sun bear cub at BSBCC. She is kept under close observation around the clock by bear care staff in quarantine.
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​She was subsequently found to be malnourished and showed signs of stunted growth. Consequently, her claws and teeth appeared too big for her tiny body as a result from an unbalanced diet.
 
Little by little she has grown to know that she is in a safe place. She adapted really well to her new environment. 

​During these two weeks she has gained more weight. She has a good appetite but is choosy in accepting a diet of fruits and vegetables. She loves watermelon and Honey! 

​Little Romolina enjoys playing with enrichment toys.

The enrichment plays a vital role in encouraging Little Romolina – to be a sun bear again! She gets really curious and stands on both her hind legs then gets excited about it! Romolina will use her long sharp claws to tear and destroy the enrichment. She always shows curiosity in new toys and treats where she will learn to dig, climb and destroy the enrichment!
 

​She learns climbing too. She will climb up to the basket or sleeping platform or when there are treats around. As a sun bear cub she will spends most of the day sleeping on the ground or hammock platform. 
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​​She is just enjoying her new found second chance of freedom. 
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​Poor Romolina had been kept confined in a cage alone for a long period. It can be seen that she has a habit of sucking her front left paw or rubbing her back near care takers, and she vocalizes to seek comfort and safety. She shows more attachment to humans and appears tame. She needs special care and attention. She should still be with her mother learning how to survive in the forest. 

​Slowly, Romolina will learn to trust the new environment and put her past behind her. It was truly a blessing when watching Romolina grow more confident and healthy. Please speak up against the illegal pet trade and protect them from extinction!

Text by Yvonne Chong Yee Wen
Photos by Yvonne Chong Yee Wen, Chiew Lin May & Seng Yen Wah

The Bornean Sun Bear is scientifically known as Helarctos Malayanus. It is the smallest species of bear found in the tropical forest habitats of Southeast Asia. Characteristics of sun bears include its long tongue (which is used to extract honey and insects) and a chest marking, unique to every sun bear.

Sun bears are opportunistic omnivores that feed mainly on termites, insects, larvae and a large variety of fruit species. Sun bears have several different roles within the forest, which provide many benefits to tropical ecosystems.

Sun bears are now facing the threats of commercial hunting and poaching, habitat loss, and being illegally kept as a pet. They belong in the wild. Please spread the word and protect the sun bear!
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​

​< 婆羅洲之子 —— 馬來熊 >

​婆羅洲馬來熊（Bornean Sun Bear），又名太陽熊，也叫狗熊，學名為Helarctos Malayanus，屬哺乳熊科，它是全世界8種熊科動物中體型最小的熊類。馬來熊是依賴森林生存的物種，它們棲息和活動於東南亞地區的熱帶雨林，主要分佈於馬來西亞、越南、印尼、柬埔寨、泰國、緬甸、遼國、中國南部與印度東部等。

馬來熊的特征

​馬來熊的身長約120至150公分，雄性的熊體重可達30至60公斤左右，而雌性的體重是20至40公斤。它們尾巴的長度約5公分，耳朵小而圓，毛髮短，呈深棕色抑或黑色，而鼻子色澤通常為灰至橙色。此外，馬來熊還擁有約30公分之長的舌頭，而如此長的舌頭的主要功能是讓它們舔食蜂巢裡的蜂蜜，以及其他的小昆蟲，如：白蟻、球狀馬陸和其他幼蟲等。

​它們的四肢短，向內彎，行走時呈內八型；掌心粉紅色，無毛且柔軟，就像人類的掌心一樣，這能夠讓它們在森林地面安靜地行走。被稱之為爬樹高手的馬來熊，爪子呈鐮刀狀，長而銳利，這能夠使它們穩固地抓牢樹木；此外，尖銳的爪子也是它們用作挖掘和撕開朽木來尋找食物，如：白蟻、昆蟲的覓食主要工具。

​除此之外，每一隻馬來熊最為顯著的特征就是它們胸前的胸斑（Chest Mark），每一隻熊的胸斑皆有不同的色澤，大部分為乳白色或橙色，並含斑點。因此，馬來熊最為獨特的特點是每一隻熊都擁有它們獨一無二的胸斑，這猶如人類的指紋，獨一無二，也是個人的記號，儘管是雙胞胎的馬來熊也絕對不會出現相同胸斑的情況。

 
馬來熊的自衛方法
馬來熊的聽覺與嗅覺特別靈敏，當它們感受到有威脅時，會用後腿站立，這是一種向對方發出警告和自衛的舉動；馬來熊又叫做狗熊，這是因為它吠聲如狗，當它們感受到威脅或不高興時，會發出像狗吠般的咆哮怒吼聲。

對於每一隻野生動物而言，自我防衛與保護是一件非常重要的事情，與其他的熊類如大熊貓相比，馬來熊的動作較為靈敏和快速。
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馬來熊的爪子和尖銳的犬齒是它們最好的自我保護工具。它們的頸部有一圈非常厚而鬆弛的皮膚，這能夠使它們在打架時、被其他動物攻擊時或被獵人徒手抓住時，能夠及時扯起鬆弛的皮膚，鬆開和及時逃走，抑或反咬對方；而鋒利的爪子能幫助它迅速地爬上樹上閃避攻擊。

 
馬來熊繁殖習性與成長過程
馬來熊並沒有固定的交配季節，雌熊平均懷孕期為96天左右，大部分一胎只產一隻幼崽，生產雙胞胎或多隻的情況是極少的。在野外生活的雌熊通常會尋找大樹洞或已空心的大木頭為它繁殖的窩；剛出世的幼崽體型是非常小的，無毛、無牙，甚至是無視覺與嗅覺的，但胸前的胸斑卻清晰可見。   

幼熊需要花上2、3年的時間從母熊身上學習生活技能，如：覓食、爬樹、如何自衛等。因此，在幼熊還未學成前必須依賴母熊的照顧才能生存，它們需要母熊餵食和保護。
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而邁入成熟期的熊，它們會開始離開母熊獨立生活，並建立起自己的家園。雄性的馬來熊在森林的活動範圍約15平方公里，而雌性的馬來熊活動範圍是5平方公里。當馬來熊進入性成熟期時，就會在交配期間尋找交配對象，其餘時間都是獨立生活，爬樹、覓食和築巢。

​其實馬來熊壽命頗長，但由於在野外生活的它們必須面對與其他熊隻或其他動物的競爭、自然和人為的災害（各種天災、獵人的捕殺、森林被砍伐與發展）、食源短缺等的影響，它們存活的幾率和壽命便會大大減低。

一般人會認為熊類是肉食動物，但其實馬來熊是雜食性的。它們主要的食物包含了：水果、昆蟲、蜂蜜、無脊椎動物等。
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在野外，水果成了馬來熊的主食之一，如：野生榴蓮、香蕉、椰子、紅毛丹、蓮心果（Langsat）、香波羅（Tarap）等。但其實以上大部分的水果皆屬季節性的，因此常年結果的無花果便扮演了重要的角色，也成了馬來熊主要食物之一。

​在馬來文裡，馬來熊名為Beruang Madu，Beruang是熊的意思，而Madu意為蜜糖。它之所以被稱之為「蜜糖熊」是因為它非常喜歡吃蜂蜜。因此，它們會利用它們敏銳的嗅覺尋找蜂巢所在地，再用尖銳有力的爪和非常長的舌頭將蜂蜜挖舔出來享用。

​馬來熊的主食也包括無脊椎動物。無脊椎動物指的是白蟻、蜈蚣、馬陸蟲（球狀馬陸、扁背馬陸）、幼蟲等。在非水果季節的時候，馬來熊就會把大部分的時間用於尋找這些無脊椎動物來充飢。

馬來熊的角色
      馬來熊體型雖小，但卻在森林裡扮演了非常重要的角色：
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（壹）種子播遷者

在野外，馬來熊會食取各式各樣的果實，如：野生榴蓮、紅毛丹、無花果等，在食取的過程中，它們會把果實的種子也一併吞下，而那些未經消化的種子會通過它們排洩糞便的時候排除體外，這樣的過程稱之為「種子播遷」，這樣能夠使種子遠離母樹，並能夠減少和降低種子與母樹之間的生長競爭，大大提高種子生存的幾率。
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因此，馬來熊扮演了提升各種樹木生長率的重要角色。
 
（貳）森林工程師

​      擁有堅固鋒利爪子的馬來熊是非常出色的爬樹高手。馬來熊攀爬上樹的原因除了為了築巢、休息和曬日光浴以外，便是要尋找蜂巢，以獲得它們最愛的食物——蜂蜜；它們會利用它們強壯尖銳的爪子和犬齒來拔開樹幹和挖掘蜂巢。

​當熊把樹上的蜂巢都挖空了之後，便會形成一個空穴，而這些空穴便成了給其他動物，如：犀鳥、飛鼠等築巢与栖息的地方。

白蟻是一種會覓食於朽木或健康的樹木的昆蟲，而有些白蟻會在樹上築巢，因此會逐漸腐蝕和破壞它們所寄住的那棵樹，進而導致樹木死亡。
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      白蟻也是馬來熊喜愛的食物之一，當它們尋找到白蟻窩時，它們會使用長長的舌頭和爪子破壞白蟻窩以取食。馬來熊通過食取白蟻的這個習性有效地控制白蟻族群的數量，為森林的健康做出了一份保障與貢獻。

（肆）森林農夫
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除了水果和蜂蜜以外，馬來熊還喜好吃無脊椎動物，例如：蚯蚓、幼蟲、扁背馬陸、球狀馬陸等。馬來熊會翻動和挖掘泥土以尋找這些食物，而這樣的過程能夠將貧瘠的土壤和營養豐富的養分混合在一起，促進了森林裡的養分循環。

您曾設想過倘若一天森林消失了，我們將會面對什麼問題？對動物們又會造成什麼樣的影響？森林是所有野外動物，包括馬來熊的家園，因此當森林被肆意砍伐和破壞時，許多動物就會失去家園。
      然而，如今大部分的森林已被過度伐木和發展農業活動，如：油棕園、橡膠園等給取代了；如此過度的發展其實已經嚴重影響和破壞了馬來熊的棲息地。如果無法阻止森林過度發展和砍伐的浩劫，馬來熊將會面臨絕種的危機。
 
（貳）盜獵活動盛行

您可知道在婆羅洲獵殺或盜獵馬來熊已經被列為非法的活動？

在1997年沙巴野生動物保護憲法之下，馬來熊已屬「完全受保護」品種（Totally Protected Species），凡觸法者，即盜獵、獵殺、販賣、飼養以及擁有有關馬來熊產製品的人將會面臨10萬馬幣罰款或被判10年徒刑，或兩者兼施。

但不幸的是，儘管馬來熊已得到憲法的保護，但獵殺馬來熊的活動卻依舊盛行至今。他們捕殺馬來熊絕大部分是為了取得它那能被製成傳統藥物，俗稱能醫百病的熊膽與膽汁；而為了獲取被稱之為尚品佳餚的熊掌也是他們捕殺馬來熊的主要原因之一。

​不僅如此，儘管社會文明已在逐步進步與發展，但對於婆羅洲部分的原住民而言，馬來熊的肉仍是他們傳統的食物之一，其爪子、犬齒以及皮毛等更被當成裝飾品。因此，至今馬來熊仍然難逃非法獵殺的厄運！

​（叁）被當寵物飼養
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由於馬來幼熊長得十分可愛，和幼犬長得非常相似，因此很多人會把它們當做寵物來飼養。但您可有想過，馬來熊真的適合被當做寵物飼養嗎？

儘管馬來熊是熊科裡體型最小的熊類，但它的力氣、尖銳的牙齒和爪子可是不容忽視的！當幼熊成年後，它將會成為具有攻擊性的馬來熊。許多飼養馬來熊的飼主常常會認為年長的馬來熊具有危險性，會給他們帶來威脅，因此會把它們常年關在鐵籠子裡，甚至會使用非常粗重的鐵鏈套在它們的頸項，以防止它們攻擊自己。
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但馬來熊真的適合被飼養在籠子裡嗎？

被當做寵物來飼養的馬來熊，一般都被困在狹窄的鐵籠子裡生活，總日活在恐懼不安與不健康的環境當中，並且會被餵食不適當的食物，從而造成它們營養不良的情況，嚴重影響發育與健康狀況。

一般的獵人在野外捕捉幼熊作為寵物時，他們就必須先把母熊給射殺。在森林裡，幼熊其實需要花上2、3年的時間從母熊身上學習生活技能，可是獵人把它們從母熊身邊帶離當做寵物飼養時，幼熊就失去向母熊學習的機會，導致不能獨立生活。而且絕大多數的人並不了解馬來熊的習性，因此在這樣的因素下，在不恰當的飼養方式中生活的馬來熊，都過著糟糕的生活，也就是說，它們沒有能力在野外森林裡生存，無法做隻真正的馬來熊了！
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請記住，森林才是馬來熊的家，而不是那個冷冰無情的銅鐵籠子！

Text by Chiew Lin May
Photos by Seng Yen Wah and Chiew Lin May

​Seven years ago, a two month old sun bear cub was found by a villager’s hunting dog in a remote forest area of Long Pasia, in the Sipitang district of Sabah. 

He was found injured and Nooh, the owner, decided to take care of him until he recovered. Nooh named the sun bear cub as “Fulung” which means forest in native Lundayeh language. 

​Nooh had decided to return Fulung back to the forest but due to the poaching concern happening in the forest he decided to keep Fulung as a pet for the time being. 

​Until August 2011, where Nooh found out he could give him a better life. He decided to surrender Fulung to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) when Fulung was nine months old.
​

​Fulung arrived at BSBCC on 15th of August, 2011. 

​During his arrival, it was found that Fulung was malnourished and had a scratch mark on his forehead, which is believed to be caused by rubbing it on a cage bar. The initial health checks showed him in good health and body condition, weighing 9.4kg. During Fulung's placement in quarantine, he started to show signs of self-trauma due to finding it difficult adjusting to new experiences. This result was from being kept as a pet which caused him to scratch his abdomen until the wound was infected. This made him leave a dry scar wound on his abdomen area. Besides the wound, you could hear Fulung would growl and bawl loudly. Sun bear cubs will growl long and loud when they are separated from their mom. That was the problem with Fulung who had been kept in captivity with close human contact for long periods, which resulted in him requiring a great need of comfort. 
 
To avoid this happening, we provided the best care for Fulung, different enrichment activities were given in order to stimulate and encourage his natural behavior.

A proper diet comprises of protein and fruit, medical treatment and great treats which have brought an improvement on Fulung. We could see that he was happily munching, destroying and exploring everything. He started to adapt and would smell, taste, play and paw things. 
 
Fulung is a very cleaver, young male sun bear and checks out his enrichment. 

​Luckily, Fulung continues to improve day by day. He is settling in well in the new environment.
 
Moreover, other orphaned sun bears may help Fulung to learn the vital survival skills that he will need in the wild. So, BSBCC made a decision that Fulung needed to have a sun bear companion. On October 27th, 2011 he was introduced to the first ever bear friend, Mary. 

​For the last seven years, Fulung has known how to charm his way around the females in his group. He has grown up with other orphaned bears.

 
During the bear integration, they were incredibly playful in friendly greeting ways and no aggression happened beforehand. Bongkud, Mary, Debbie, Ah Bui, Ah Lun, Rungus, Julaini, Montom and Natalie are Fulung’s play bear friends.

​He loves to make new friends where he becomes the loved and admired mischievous bear!
 

Magical! On June 11th, 2013 he took his biggest step and got to enjoy the sunshine with tall trees where he should belong! 

​Once the door opened, he quickly went out to explore! He was checking every meter of his new forest environment. 

​Fulung first dug up the dead log to get his favourite termites. 

​Over the years, Fulung proved to us that he will be one of the most confident and lovely bears in the centre. 

​Fulung is best known for loving to stand on his hind legs to get a better smell or look.

​He will keep busy. 
He spends his day roaming around the free range enclosure, 

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foraging up invertebrates and favourite food

​ basking in the sun, 

​taking a nap and loves climbing up high above the trees. 

​Fulung is an expert climber and will show how well he can climb to the top with rediscovering his natural behaviour! 

​He is anything and has become a much loved member of the sun bear family. 

​They are full of enthusiasm and energy! 

​They will keep learning to be wild bears and have fun everyday! 

​He always captures the hearts of people with his enthusiasm in loving nature. 

 
This is very impressive when observing him slowly grow use to his new environment and learning as a wild bear. He slowly realizes the special bear he is and there is nothing to fear out there. 
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Fulung is doing exactly what they should do in the forest!!

​Remember that we are not their mother. This is a very pathetic story for keeping a sun bear as a pet only will make the sun bear not know the world beyond the cage bars and they will lose the survival skills that they need to learn in the wild.

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But thanks to the ongoing care and support we can give Fulung a second chance to live the happy, safe and healthy life he deserves. One of the things we LOVE about the smallest bears is simply that they make you smile.

Text by Chiew Lin May
Photos by Seng Yen Wah & Chiew Lin May
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The sad part of each rescued orphan sun bear that arrive at Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) is that they come from having lived through a bitter past. As sun bears grow into fully grown adult, they become dangerous and difficult to handle which will end up their lives in a tiny cage or seeking out sun bear rehabilitation centre to take their sun bear pet in.

​This is what happens to our recently rescued a three years old sub adult female bear, Soo (Rescued bear No.56). It was so shock when we received a video showing that the person was playing with this bear (who is fully grown bear). She was purchased from Karamatoi village in Sook Keningau market when she was still cub and kept as a pet by a family in Nambayan village in Tambunan, located in the interior Division of Sabah for almost three years. She was rescued by Sabah Wildlife Department and she arrives at BSBCC on 8th September 2017. Soo was fed with rice, cucumber and milk. Undoubtedly her mother had been killed; she is sold illegally throughout Borneo and kept in private home. Sadly many of these orphaned sun bears will never fully learn their natural way of life and lose their ability to survive in the wild. 

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​During the arrival, Soo shows a sorrow face and traumatized. This made her keep alert. She must have been going through traumatizing experience for her. You can feel how this disgusting the pet trade is! Often these rescued sun bears take a long recovery road from the trauma of losing their mom in such a horrific way. They often suffer from physically health issues, malnutrition and poor treatment during her pet trade time.
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​Luckily for Soo, the Sabah Wildlife Department rescued her and she has been given second chance to survive as a wild bear. She has to go through a quarantine process for 30 days to determine her health status. On 10th September 2017 she received a health check. Dr. Pakeeyaraj Nagalinggam from Wildlife Rescue Unit, Sabah Wildlife Department performed a general health check. These include an assessment of her overall health, function of the internal organs and physical condition and potential sickness. Her weighs was 25.70kg.The blood tests result has shown she is in good health and bright bear.

​At the BSBCC, Soo will receive intensive care. The most important first step is to make sure Soo is settled in this new environment. Till now she still avoids to explore new surroundings. Soo was introducing to new correct diet and enrichment to ensure she is growing healthy. But Soo only will explore the enrichment and treats on night time where the surrounding area was quiet. She will quickly move away after detecting our presence. Soo spent the majority of her time and feel safe by staying high up on cage. She is now an orphan and needs much love and care to grow into a trust and confident beautiful sun bear.
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​We are delighted to welcome Soo to our sun bear family! Soo has a long journey ahead of her in going through rehabilitation until she returns to the wild again. It is illegal to keep sun bears as pets! Please remember the consequences of keeping one as a pet and give them promise of HOPE! We hope to see Soo can be thriving and adapting well to her new home. She has to find the life of a free bear. We will be monitoring to see how she progresses over the coming months at quarantine.
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Text by Chiew Lin May
Photos by BSBCC & Chiew Lin May

I am not an ordinary sun bear cub as I became a victim of the illegal wildlife trade. ​

I was only two months old and weighed 2-3 kg. At two months old, I should be with my mother. In the wild, I should be tightly with my mum and relying on her protection and care for two to three years of my life. My mum was killed by a poacher, which is a common fate for sun bears. Many people still are not aware of the negative impacts and how illegal it is to keep a sun bear as a pet. 
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It took a long time for me to undergo the rehabilitation process. I am in good health while under the care of BSBCC. For me, being previously kept as a pet made me forget that I am actually a sun bear. Suckling is an innate behavior. I should suckle my mum for seeking comfort but I had lost her, and the chance to seek protection and comfort. This makes me only able to suckle my own feet to seek comfort. 
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Due to my relatively short and smaller sized body, I am now only able to socialise with the sub-adult group. Within these six years, I have been introduced to many groups of bears which have included Fulung, Debbie, Ah Bui, Bongkud, Koko, Damai, Sunbearo, Loki, Bintang, Boboi, Kitud, Tan-Tan, Dodop, Wawa, Montom, Susie2, Kala, Nano and Noah. I am very social with the other bear friends – through lots and lots of happy bear wrestling. 
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I greatly enjoy the time in the jungle with my friends
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I am always up to something which is connected to food and have a good appetite. 
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I am at the age where I still am learning to be a wild bear and show a lot of natural behaviors such as digging, foraging, climbing and love finding my own protein supply of termites, beetles, beetle larvae or soil. 
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I love climbing to the top of the trees. 
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During sunny days, I prefer to stay in shady places – either in the underbrush or in the trees. 
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It is my determination! 
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lounging by a pool 
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Text by Batrisyia Teepol (UNIMAS student)
Photos by Seng Yen Wah & Chiew Lin May

​Integration is one of the rehabilitation processes which takes place at the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center. Although sun bears are known to be solitary in the woods, in this center however, integration between the bears plays a crucial role in the rehabilitation of the bears. It is debatable whether this process is against the bears' nature or not. But know that the bears here in the center are restricted to a lot of things. One example of this is that space is insufficient. Further, having another bear sharing this space is the best enrichment for a bear. What is the best way to learn how to be a bear if it is not learning from one another? Bears can learn from one another as much as we humans can learn from them. With the limited amount of capacity for the bears, integration grants the idea of letting the bears live together (in the same cage).
Obviously, you cannot simply decide in an instant whether a particular bear can stay with another bear without doing integration between them first. From the word 'integration', it is pretty self-explanatory on how the process would go down. This process can be done in two different stages where the first step, 'cage by cage', is where the bears are placed in cages next to each other. This is to let them familiarize with the others' scent and presence. Second step, 'body contact integration', can only be taken if you are at least 80% sure that the bears will not try to harm each other. This step starts when the bears make contact with each other. They usually start it off by sniffing and carry on with playing which includes pawing, wrestling, showing their canines and even biting. Integration must be done with the presence of a bear keeper.

This time, we integrated two bears who were already the best of friends (Noah and Nano) with other bears who belong to their own groups. Group 1 who use forest enclosure Pen D (Wawa, Mary and Dodop) and Group 2 who use forest enclosure Pen C (Boboi, Kitud and Tan Tan). The criteria which affects the target of integration is that first off, their body sizes are preferably of the same proportion. Secondly, they are of the same age or within a similar range. The main purpose of this integration is to figure out which group Noah and Nano can go out into the enclosure with.
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So, let's get to know some of the bears! 
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Nano’s name carries the meaning of "small" and "tiny", which definitely suits him. He is at the age of 2, which is a little older than Noah, however, is smaller in size. Noah, the youngest male cub, is definitely the most playful and most energetic. In contrast, Nano is always sleepy and shy. Although their personalities are the complete opposite, they however are very close friends.
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Moving on to our bears who roam around forest enclosure Pen C, Boboi, Kitud and Tan Tan (all 2 years old). Boboi is much more playful and bigger compared to his friends in Pen C. Kitud, easily identified with his brownish ears, is quite shy and quiet. Tan Tan is definitely not afraid of heights as she is always climbing trees in Pen C.

For bears in forest enclosure Pen D, Mary, Wawa and Dodop (all female), Mary is the oldest as she is 6 years old, but her body is smaller compared to the other bears of her age. This is due to her unbalanced diet during her days being kept as a pet. However, despite the age difference with Wawa (known as the ‘explorer’) and Dodop (known as the ‘sleepy one’), they have a very good friendship.

So, now you have touched the surface, let's dive deeper! Keep in mind that Nano and Noah have never met any of the other bears mentioned before. In the hope of at least one of the groups would make room for our cute cubs, Nano and Noah, and embrace them into the wilderness, we integrated them.

We started the integration one bear at a time. One bear from any of the groups were placed into a cage next to Nano and Noah (‘cage by cage’). They would start sniffing from between the grill to feed their curiosity! Once we were sure and confident, we slid open the doors between the cages and there you have it, ‘body contact integration’. They would start sniffing the other's sex organs and sometimes their ears. Slowly, they would start to play.
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Words alone cannot explain how beautiful and amazing integration works for our bears, so these pictures would definitely tell you a thousand words.

​Once they had already been introduced to one bear at a time, then Noah and Nano were integrated with two bears at the same time. We also did the integration between the bears in the training pen, just to observe whether the bears could share their food or not.

Throughout all the days I did my observation, no aggression was found. Hoping that the other bears would welcome our little boys, Noah and Nano with bear hugs. Their gestures would teach and allow these two little bears to learn and understand the idea of how to be a bear in the wild. As Dr. Wong would say, "The best enrichment a bear could have is another bear".

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Text by Alex O’Keefe (Oregon State University Student)
​Photos by Sumira Muis & Chiew Lin May

Completing an internship at the Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Center (BSBCC) under Ape Malaysia has been a phenomenal and breathtaking journey. As I progressed through my internship I was able to complete and partake in a number of activities that have benefited sun bears and their conservation. Some of these activities include creating enrichments, structure for maintenance and the bears, partaking in feeding, helping educate the public about sun bears and their conservation needs and conducting observations of sun bears. My specific observations were done every day for two weeks to evaluate the readiness of a male bear named Sigalung to be released into first a training pen (an outside pen connected to the inside doors of the bear house) and eventually an outside enclosure based in the forest.  Having the honor to observe this bear’s progression from training pen to outside enclosure was for me exciting and something new. By the end of my observations, I would come to be attached and intrigued by the sun bear known as Sigalung. 

First before describing the progress of Sigalung, here’s a little background on his journey to and time at the BSBCC.  Sigalung along with a bear named Phin were rescued from a logging camp in Sipitang district, Southwest of Sabah. Likely orphaned by poachers, Sigalung with Phin were alone and would likely have been subjected to a cruel and painful life in inadequate captive conditions. Luckily Dr.Wong and the Sun Bear Conservation team found out about the bears and rescued them when they were (9 years old).  Two years ago (2015) Sigalung started training pen integration. It took him more than a year to actually come out of his inside pen and explore the training pen due to fear. Often bears rescued are scared and hesitant to explore anything outside of an inside enclosure as that’s the only environment they’ve ever been exposed to pre-rescue. After more than a year of trying every single day,Sigalung climbed down the ladder connecting to the floor of the training pen and explored around.  Following this moment, his confidence grew and his visits to the training pen became more consistent. Nearly a year after his landmark stride I started my internship at the BSBCC.

Two weeks in I began to observe him and his actions in the training pen. By the end of a week I had noticed a very predictable pattern for Sigalung. Immediately when his pen doors would open, he would climb down to the training pen walk in a clockwise circle and eat the food placed in the pen; all the while sniffing and exploring. By the end of two weeks I had concluded that he had comfortably and fully integrated himself into the training pen. It was now time to test our luck with the outside pen.
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Before our first attempt at getting Sigalung to commit to entering the outside enclosure, I put fruit and honey outside to entice Siglung into the forest. 

​​Once everything was set up we left the area and opened Sigalung’s inside and training pen doors connecting him to the outside enclosure. 
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​Sigalung conducted his normal routine of climbing down and exploring the training pen. He would look at the open door leading to the forest then quickly move past it with haste signaling anxiety. This pattern of circling past the open door continued until we gave up and decided to try again the next day. The second day offered the same results as Sigalung displayed repetitive behavior comparable to the first day.The third day however, provided different and unexpected results.

The third day stared out similar to the first two days.  The doors opened, Sigalung approached the doors but never went outside.  He would occasionally army crawl up to the doors stick his head out and grab the food then come back inside to eat. Little progress was being made until a female adult bear named Mamatai in the neighboring outside pen appeared. She came directly face to face with Sigalung then eventually walked away into the forest. Sigalung, be it enticed or aggressive, tried to follow her until he reached the door.  He like before stared out but didn’t budge. Then all of a sudden he bolted out of the door and into the forest enclosure! Continuing to sprint, he for the first time stepped on the natural forest floor.       

​His outside reconnoitering lasted for only five minutes as by that time he quickly ran back into the training pen then into his inside enclosure. Though only for five minutes, Sigalung had taken his first steps in becoming a real sun bear and thriving in the forest.  The next two days Sigalung went into the outside pen but only for a similar duration of time. Day six would prove different. Sigalung decided on the sixth day he would not only stay out longer in the forest but also explore farther than he previously had done. Sigalung ended up walking around the entire outside enclosure area!  

He had finally conquered his fear of the unknown and is now enjoying the freedom of the outside enclosure based in the rainforests of Borneo!  Sigalung has truly come a long way from where he began. From capture to freedom, Sigalung can finally live out his days living as a sun bear should…in the forest.       

Text by Chiew Lin May
Photos by Azzry Dusain, Tee Thye Lim, Seng Yen Wah and Chiew Lin May



Without the BSBCC, many captive sun bears would still live in small cages without HOPE; without the BSBCC many people in the world still would not know there is a bear species called the sun bear
​– CEO & Founder, Dr. (Hon) Wong Siew Te, D.J.N

​​Poaching, pet trade and loss of habitat continue to pose a MAJOR threat to the survival of sun bears. Mother bears are often killed and their infants are sold in the illegal wildlife pet trade. Sun bears are very similar to humans - they cannot survive on their own without their mothers. It is tragic that sun bears are still being found orphaned. Sun bear populations have declined by more than 30% in the past 30 years, leaving the danger of imminent extinction in the wild a very real possibility.
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​The BSBCC has received 55 rescued sun bears since its foundation. Currently there are 44 rescued sun bears housed at the BSBCC. Sadly, we have seen a significant increase in the numbers of sun bears arriving at the centre in 2016. This trend is worrying as it shows that poaching is still going wild with rampant sale of sun bears or illegal bear bile medicine over websites and the numbers will continue to rise rapidly until drastic measures are taken to protect sun bears.
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​BSBCC has been able to rehabilitate these orphaned sun bears after their years of trauma from being locked up in small cages and sold in the pet trade. Most of our bears have had an extremely difficult lives having witnessed the death of their mother, traumatic experiences through being sold as a pet, suffered unimaginable abuse, infected wounds and poor diet. Being taken away from all of that they had known...many will show stereotypical behavior and will growl in fear. 

This has all changed with the greatly appreciated help from Sabah Wildlife Department. They assist in providing care and medical treatment for rescued bears. Our rescued bears will receive round the clock care from our Bear care team by helping and encouraging the bears to build up their strength as well as learning to trust their cares. 
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Enriching the lives of these rescued bears is an important part of bear management, which improves the bears’ lives by giving them a second chance to survive in the wild. We will make sure that the bears are having their choices and freedom. Little by little, after each rescued bear has passed their quarantine period, they will move on to the next step in the Bear house – a peaceful and safe place they have deserved all their life! Integrating with new friends, giving them access to forest enclosures for them to learn pertinent skills for survival and last but not least get them ready to be back into the WILD.

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​Even relishing every chop of fresh fruit, playing with their enrichment, roaming the forest, foraging for insects, inquisitive, exploring, snoozing, climbing trees, finding HONEY bees, enjoying the sunshine, tapping to check weak points of dead logs and building tree nests, play fighting with their fellow bears in the BSBCC. No more pain and letting go of the traumatic life – perhaps they are enjoying the smell of freedom !​!

Let look how our rescued sun bears learn become wild bear!!
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​Besides that, due to the emotional trauma that resulted from his being kept as pet, Nano was very stressed and in pain. After one year, Nano finally has reduced his stereotypical behavior by spending more time with his bear friend, Noah. He is on the road to recovery. We tear up just thinking how Nano has finally overcome his fear...

Sun bears are beautiful animals in nature. They deserve the chance to go back to the deep forest and to become a WILD bear. We all have two things that the sun bears do not, which is a voice and freedom. Please use your voice to help them and stop the hunting or killing of sun bears, we can make a difference to their future survival. Together we must save the sun bears!

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​On behalf of our rescued bears, a big bark THANKS to Wong, our supporters, funders, volunteers, friends and bear care team for taking care, supporting and loving them!