The Honorable Edgard D. Kagan, US Ambassador, visits
We are honored to have the US Ambassador to Malaysia, The Honorable Edgard D. Kagan and his friends visit our Centre today.
Dr. Wong, CEO and Founder of BSBCC showed them around for a tour around the Centre, highlighting environmental challenges, issues faced by sun bears in the wild and the importance of the set up of BSBCC.
We hope everyone had a wonderful time at the Centre, although it rained heavily for a while. We hope to see you again next time!
𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐖𝐢𝐫𝐚 & 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐣𝐚’𝐬 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬: 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐠, 𝐊𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐤𝐮, 𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐠, 𝐊𝐚𝐥𝐚, 𝐉𝐨𝐞, 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐚 & 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐲
These adorable sun bears are waiting for a loving adopter like you! By adopting one, you’ll help provide food, medical care, and a safe home while supporting vital conservation efforts.
Make a difference today—adopt a sun bear and be part of their journey! Click the link to learn more about our adoption programme:
Sabah Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Environment (KEPKAS) Visit
We received a visit today (21st January 2025) from a delegate from the Sabah Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Environment (KEPKAS) represented and headed by YBhg. Datuk Josie Lai and accompanied by several other officials: Dr. Maklarin Lakim (Director of Sabah Parks), Mr. Mohd Sofian Abu Bakar (Director of Sabah Wildlife Department), Mdm. Mary Malangking (Deputy Permanent Secretary of KEPKAS), Dr. Nabilah Sarkawi and Mr. Sailun Aris. The Founder and CEO of BSBCC, Dr. (Hons) Wong Siew Te personally guided the delegates around showing them some of features and facilities in our Centre. They also seized the opportunity to have a look on our healthy and well taken cared sun bears in our Centre, showing the dedication put by our Bear Care Unit on the sun bears welfare and health. Thank you KEPKAS and SWD for the continuous support to BSBCC's cause.
Cataract Surgery Experience On Sun Bears In Sandakan
BSBCC is proud to have our work, "The First Phacoemulsification Surgery for Sun Bears in Malaysia," featured in MSOExpress, the newsletter of the Malaysian Society of Ophthalmology. This achievement was made possible through the collaborative efforts of veterinary and human healthcare specialists, united in their commitment to animal welfare. We are deeply grateful to all the dedicated experts who helped make this success a reality. The bears that underwent cataract surgery are doing exceptionally well. This year, we will continue our unwavering commitment to ensuring the welfare of the bears.
#bsbcc #savesunbear #beruang #sunbear #beruangmadu #animalwelfare #sabah #sandakan
BSBCC Black & Gold Night
On 19 January 2025, BSBCC hosted their annual dinner with a Black and Gold theme. We were honored to have Datuk Frederick Kugan, Chief Conservator of Forests of Sabah Forestry Department & BSBCC Board of Director, along with his wife Datin Rosita Patrick Limy, and Dr Nabila Sarkawi, Veterinary of Sabah Wildlife Department joined the dinner.
This event was held to celebrate success and show appreciation for all the staff's hard work and effort throughout the year. Besides the good food, all the staff were also excited for the lucky draw session. Senior staff member received a 10-year service award from BSBCC in recognition of their 10 years of dedicated service. Great performances (singing, dancing, and catwalk, best dress) were performed by the staff and volunteers, making the night even more fun and exciting!
Thank you to all the BSBCC team members for their dedication to saving the Sun Bears! Together, we can tackle any challenge that comes our way. Let's do this!
KAFA Madrasah Al-Irsyadiah Kem Tentera and KAFA Masjid At-Taqwa, Sandakan
Thank you to KAFA Madrasah Al-Irsyadiah Kem Tentera and KAFA Masjid At-Taqwa, Sandakan, for visiting BSBCC today.
This visit provided students with valuable insights into wildlife conservation, the significance of protecting endangered species like the sun bear, and an appreciation for Malaysia’s rich biodiversity. Such enriching experiences align with the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign, fostering environmental awareness and promoting sustainable tourism.
#bear #sunbear #beruang #beruangmadu #beruangmatahari #lindungiberuangmadu #savesunbear #malaysia #sabah #sandakan #sepilok #bsbcc #visitsabah #visitsandakan #tempatmenarikdisandakan #wildlife #nature #rainforest #VisitMalaysia2026 #MalaysiaTrulyAsia #SurrealExperiences #CutiCutiMalaysia
SK Lormalong Kunak Visit
Happy Saturday everyone!
A big thank you to SK Lormalong Kunak for visiting us today. We hope they had a great time while visiting here, and gained some knowledge about Sun Bears.
Ready to plan your school trip? Email us at info.bsbcc@gmail.com
SK Nunuyan Laut Visit
It all begins with an idea.
We welcomed a group of primary school students from SK Nunuyan Laut, Sandakan. The group consist of 17 students and 4 teachers were brought to a guided tour in our Centre. Several important topics where shared such as the reason of the Centre establishment, why the bears are here, why their number in the wild declined and what we are trying to do to make it better for the bears that we rescued. These topics discussed with the hope of instilling empathy and love to our bears and of course the wildlife in general so there will be a better future for our wildlife and nature.
Public Bank Berhad adopting Noah the sun bear
It all begins with an idea.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Public Bank 𝐁𝐞𝐫𝐡𝐚𝐝, 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐚 𝐒𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐡, 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐧, for your incredible commitment to wildlife conservation by adopting Noah, our adult male rescued sun bear.
Your generous support ensures Noah receives the best care — including nutritious food, medical treatment, and engaging enrichment activities — and inspires others to take action for our precious wildlife.
𝐖𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭, 𝐭𝐨𝐨?
In conjunction with Visit Malaysia 2026, we invite corporations, organizations, and individuals to join our adoption program and become champions for rescued sun bears. By adopting a sun bear, you help provide the care and resources these amazing animals need to thrive.
Together, we can create a brighter future for Malaysia’s wildlife. To learn more about our adoption program, please visit our website here:
https://www.bsbcc.org.my/adopt-and-donate
Pitang’s Soft Release to Tabin Wildlife Reserve, Lahad Datu
It all begins with an idea.
A big day today! We are transporting Pitang the sun bear cub from BSBCC to Tabin Wildlife Reserve for the soft release program and rehabilitation.
2024: A Year of Milestones for Bornean Sun Bear Conservation
It all begins with an idea.
2024 is shaping up to be a year of significant milestones, with a series of exciting and history-making events in the conservation of Bornean sun bears.
One of the standout achievements is the realization of the long-discussed soft rehabilitation project by the Tabin Sun Bear Project (TSBP). Early this year, the project began with the in-situ soft rehabilitation of a sun bear cub named Tenom. This process aims to simulate the natural mother-cub relationship, with keepers acting as surrogate mothers, caring for Tenom in a forest environment. This approach helps her develop essential survival skills and gradually become independent, fully weaning off human care. The project is expected to take several years to complete, requiring substantial financial and human resources. However, the rewards are clear, as Tenom grows stronger and more fit in her natural habitat. At nearly two years old, Tenom’s full independence may take another year or two, and we hope she will continue to grow into a confident and competent bear in 2025. This pilot project at the BSBCC is a significant step forward, and we are grateful for the progress made so far.
Another groundbreaking success for sun bear conservation in Malaysia this year was the successful completion of ocular microsurgeries on four sun bears. As captive sun bears tend to live longer than their wild counterparts, they are often more susceptible to age-related health issues like cataracts. This year, four sun bears at BSBCC were diagnosed with cataracts, and the surgeries to correct their vision were carried out with great success. This achievement is a testament to BSBCC's capacity to carry out advanced veterinary procedures and our commitment to providing high-quality care for the bears. This accomplishment was made possible through the collaborative efforts of local specialists from both veterinary and human healthcare sectors, including Dr. Nadzariah Cheng, Dr. Chiang Wai Seng, Dr. Wai Yong Zheng, Dr. Nurhayati Abdul Kadir, Ms. Fatimah, Ms. Hidayah, Dr. Jessie Ho, Mr. Kok Soon Huat, and his wife. Together, we made this milestone possible.
Beyond eye care, BSBCC has continued to strengthen partnerships with experts to advance overall sun bear health and research. We are deeply grateful for the support of Dr. Cedric Tutt and Dr. Anthony Leong, who have assisted with dental and cardiac care for the bears. We also extend our gratitude to the many researchers from different universities, including UPM, UNIMAS, UMK, the University of Sunshine Coast, and Sunway University. Their research is invaluable and plays a crucial role in advancing our understanding of this species. Every contribution, no matter how small, enhances the bigger picture of conservation efforts.
This year, BSBCC published several important papers critical to sun bear conservation. Among these publications are a report on the successful hard release of 12 sun bears and a study detailing the hand-rearing of a sun bear named Luna. These papers are meaningful, that we share our experiences and the knowledge we’ve gained beyond BSBCC, contributing to the wider conservation community.
Another highlight of the year was the outreach program attended by the BSBCC bear care team to Lok Kawi Wildlife Park and Matang Wildlife Centre. We were invited to assist with a keeper training course at Lok Kawi Wildlife Park and a sun bear health care program at Matang Wildlife Centre These invitations were an important recognition of the expertise of BSBCC's bear care team in the field of sun bear conservation.
However, this year also brought a heartbreaking loss with the sudden death of Kukuton, which highlighted the potential threat of heart disease in sun bears. Shortly after this loss, BSBCC received a rescued sun bear cub named Pitang, approximately six months old. Pitang’s story mirrors that of other rescued cubs—she was found alone, likely orphaned by poachers, and surrendered to the Sabah Wildlife Department. This incident underscores the ongoing human-wildlife conflict and the importance of addressing the root causes of such tragedies.
Finally, kudos to the bear care team, TSBP team and everyone in BSBCC. The challenges faced this year have been significant, but the team's dedication and perseverance have led to many successes. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to all the supporters and donors who have placed their trust in us and supported our efforts in every way possible.
Looking ahead to 2025, we hope that no more sun bears are taken from the wild due to human greed, that we can successfully reintroduce more bears back into their natural habitats, and that the current captive population continues to live healthy and happy lives.
For a healthier planet, where all creatures can thrive.
#YayasanHasanah #sunbear #bsbcc #conservation #rehabilitation #beruang
You may be gone, but you'll always be remembered in your favorite spot, sleeping peacefully on your enrichment, where you felt safest and happiest. You’ve touched our hearts, and your memory will live on in the work we do to protect your kind.
Kukuton The Sun Bear