HELP US, SUPPORT US
http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v7/ge/newsgeneral.php?id=959333
Sun Bear Centre To Raise Funds, Calls For Public Support SANDAKAN, June 27 (Bernama) -- The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) will hold a fundraising dinner to raise RM500,000 to partially fund the construction of a second bear house before it is opened to the public early next year.Chief executive officer and founder Wong Siew Te said part of the money raised will also be used to construct a one hectare enclosure for the new bear house and to meet operational costs for the year. The fundraising dinner to be held on July 20 at the Hakka Association Hall here comes almost five years after a similar event in Kota Kinabalu raised RM1.3 million that was partly used for the construction of the first bear house. Wong said this year's operational and construction costs run into RM2 million and despite the commitment of generous donors, it needs to meet shortfall in expenses. "We appeal to Malaysians, especially the Sandakan business community to support this fundraiser. By attending the event, you will be able to better understand the significance of sun bears and the types of threats this species faces." The BSBCC which started operation in 2008 with seven rescued sun bears currently provides refuge to 28 sun bears. "It is the first and the only facility of its kind in the world and the only one that conduct rescue, education, research and rehabilitation. We should be proud that it is located in Malaysia, specifically in Sandakan," Wong said in a statement to announce the fund raising dinner, here today. The BSBCC is located next to the world famous Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre and also close to the increasingly popular Rainforest Discovery Centre. Habitat loss, poaching for parts used in traditional medicine and the pet trade are among key threats that have led to a 30 per cent decline of the sun bear population in the last three decades. Sun bears, the smallest of the world's eight bear species, are found throughout mainland Asia, Sumatra and Borneo. The exact number of sun bears in the wild is unknown, making it even more pressing to protect the species classified as 'vulnerable' on the IUCN Red List, and at risk of becoming endangered unless circumstances threatening their survival improve. Sun bears are also classified as a 'Totally Protected Species' under the Sabah Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997, providing it the same status as the Orang Utan and Sumatran Rhinoceros. Prior to the establishement of BSBCC, sun bears were kept illegally as pets while confiscated bears were housed at a government facility. The BSBCC provides care and the chance for sun bears to learn what it is like to live in the forest by accessing an attached natural forest within an enclosed area. Wong said an observation platform and boardwalk were completed last year and that it was poised to become an important education and awareness facility, and could also serve as an ecotourism destination. "However, we need a second bear house and enclosure to accommodate all the sun bears before we can officially open it. We also need to complete the visitor centre and educational exhibits." Sime Darby Foundation, the Sabah government, Sabah Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Ministry of Tourism Malaysia, and several foreign organisations and zoos in the United States are among agencies that had contributed towards the development of BSBCC. The fund raising dinner with the theme "Big Dreams, Little Bears" will include photographic art auction by Jonathan Tan. Performers lined up include Jaclyn Victor, Gary Chaw @ Cao Ge, Pink Tan and Amir Yussof and friends with Lina Teoh and Vincent Huang as masters of ceremony. A free documentary screening is scheduled for July 21 at Sabah Hotel for 500 students, teachers and representatives of local associations. The event is supported by the Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry with Sabah Hotel as the main sponsor. The BSBCC was set up through collaboration of the Sabah Wildlife Department, Sabah Forestry Department and Land Empowerment Animals People (LEAP). -- BERNAMA
12 Comments
4/9/2018 07:47:58 pm
Thanks for sharing us.
Reply
7/9/2018 06:07:36 pm
Thank you for such a well written article. It’s full of insightful information and entertaining descriptions. Your point of view is the best among many.
Reply
30/4/2019 08:59:17 pm
That appears to be excellent however i am still not too sure that I like it. At any rate will look far more into it and decide personally!
Reply
1/5/2019 08:19:49 pm
I wanted to thank you for this excellent read!! I definitely loved every little bit of it. I have you bookmarked your site to check out the new stuff you post.
Reply
Thank you again for all the knowledge you distribute,Good post. I was very interested in the article, it's quite inspiring I should admit. I like visiting you site since I always come across interesting articles like this one.Great Job, I greatly appreciate that.Do Keep sharing! Regards,
Reply
abdul rehman
16/11/2023 05:18:20 am
I found this is an informative and interesting post so i think so it is very useful and knowledgeable. I would like to thank you for the efforts you have made in writing this article. <a href="https://issaclo.hk/">中文補習</a>
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
Categories
All
|
|
Write to us at our
Postal Address BSBCC,
PPM 219, Elopura, 90000 Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia |
Click the button below
to fill our Contact Form |