Sun bear conservation blog

Sensory Enrichments with Claire (Healing Animals Organisation)

15/5/2023

Text and Photos by Jacquelyn Jill Jepiuh

We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Claire for her incredible support as an animal healer at the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC). Her expertise in energy healing, essential oils, and sensory enrichments has made a profound impact on the well-being of our bears.

Claire, your dedication and compassionate approach to animal healing have been truly remarkable. Your energy healing techniques have provided a holistic and healing experience for our beloved bears, promoting their overall balance and vitality. The use of essential oils as part of sensory enrichments has created a stimulating and therapeutic environment for them.

On behalf of the entire team at BSBCC, I want to extend our deepest thanks for your invaluable contributions. Your passion for animal welfare and your commitment to their well-being have been truly inspiring. We are incredibly grateful for your expertise in energy healing and the positive effects it has on our bears.

Your work has brought a sense of peace and healing to our bears, and we cannot thank you enough. Thank you for being an incredible part of our journey. We look forward to continuing this important work together.

Big bear hugs!🐻🌿🙏

Presenting different scents to Kukuton

A calm Kukuton after an energy healing session with Claire.

Healing sessions

The first energy healing session was done on Kukuton. Claire explained to us that energy healing was a way to balance the energy flow in the individual which can help with reducing stress, anxiety and promote their well-being. It is also a way for her to 'connect' with the individual. She also presented different essential oils to him to see which scent he prefers. His preference of certain oils may help us to pinpoint any underlying conditions Kukuton may have and can help alleviate symptoms such as anxiety.

While doing the healing session, we noticed a difference in Kukuton from being restless at first to eventually laying down and resting on his hammock.

We also did healing sessions on Amaco (our oldest bear), Along, Dodop and Ronnie Boy. It was very interesting and mind opening to watch Claire do these sessions. The sessions gave us an insight to the bears mental health and emotions. We discovered that Along, who sometimes act out aggressively, is a misunderstood and sensitive bear. Along is not an aggressive bear, however, his behavior is derives from previous trauma and is triggered by certain noise or smells.

Amaco, according to Claire, was hard to connect to and is quite closed off. After a few sessions with him Amaco showed signs of being more relaxed and Claire sensed that Amaco wanted to be seen. With that information, our team has continued giving Amaco enrichments and extra love that he deserves.

Healing session for Ronnie Boy. He was very restless and couldn't sit still after presenting him with many different scents. The 2nd session with him the next day was much better as Ronnie Boy was calmer.

Sensory Enrichment

Claire also taught some of our keepers a new sensory enrichment. This involved using gunny sacks stuffed with dried leaves and sprayed with scents such as Orange Blossom and Rose.
These scents have their own health benefits such as reducing stress and anxiety.

The bears absolutely loved these scents and we observed them playing with the gunny sacks. Nano tried to fit his big body in the tiny bag, while Noah and Dodop would rub their bodies on it. Rudy would take it up and down to her basket and would shake it around vigorously.
Do watch the videos below to see our bears playing with the sensory enrichment made by Claire and our keepers.

We also made several infused honey using Tumeric, Ginger, Garlic and Cinnamon which can be used in other enrichments that keepers would make for them. This was a hit with all the bears! Who doesn't love a honey treat!