Dorkas Kindergarten Sandakan Visit
Dorkas Kindergarten, Sandakan visited the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre on 31 July 2025. The children enjoyed a fun ’Spot the Animals‘ activity and received an educational briefing about sun bears from our team. We hope they had a meaningful and enjoyable experience!
Wildlife Conservation Education and Awareness Programme at SK Segaliud, Sandakan
BSBCC Environmental Education team was thrilled to come back to SK Segaliud for another programme of same objective. With the support of passionate conservation partners, the students explored a day of engaging talks, hands-on exhibitions, and creative activities all designed to instill a deep appreciation for wildlife and our forests. Huge thanks to our collaborators:
- Sabah Wildlife Department
- Seratu Aatai
- Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
- Orangutan Appeal UK
We hope this won't be the last and will always looking forward to do more engagement like this.
Wildlife Conservation Education and Awareness Programme at SK Bandar, Sandakan
A big thank you to the 600+ enthusiastic students of SK Bandar, Sandakan who took part in our fun-filled and educational programme! Organised by BSBCC, the event featured exciting exhibitions, interactive activities, and inspiring talks, definitely all aimed at nurturing love and respect for wildlife and our precious forests. We’re deeply grateful for the continuous support from our partners:
- Sabah Wildlife Department
- Rainforest Discovery Centre
- Seratu Aatai
- Pangolin Aware
- Borneo Bird Club
- Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
- Orangutan Appeal UK
Together, we’re shaping our own future protectors of nature. Thanks once again SK Bandar, Sandakan for the warm celebration of our event!
A New Dawn in July. Amaco’s Journey
July is always a special month for us, as the memories of witnessing Amaco’s rescue at the age of 18, back in July 2011, still linger deeply in our hearts. He came to us with a tragic history, years spent in a small, confined cage after being taken from the wild as a cub. A history that touched many of us who met him for the first time. His body bore the physical signs of long-term captivity, and his eyes carried the quite weight of suffering and survival. That day marked more than just a rescue, it marked the beginning of healing, not just for Amaco, but for all of us who work tirelessly to give these bears the life they deserve.
As a tiny cub, he was discovered in an oil palm plantation, a tragic result of deforestation that destroyed his natural home. Taken and kept by plantation workers, he spent years in a confined and unnatural space, far from the forest life he was meant to have. By the time he was rescued and brought to BSBCC in 2011, he was already 18 years old, old for a sun bear and carrying the physical and emotional scars of years spent in confinement.
Years of captivity took a toll. Amaco arrived with several underlying health issues and poor dental condition, a common outcome for bears kept in inappropriate environments. But his life took a new turn here, one shaped by care, patience and respect.
Today, Amaco is housed in the quarantine area, where he has access to a larger exercise enclosure that allows him more space to move at his own pace. The enclosure, though secure, opens him to the beauty of outside world, with the greenery still in sight, and the soft shimmer of raindrops on leaves offering a quite connection to the forest he was once denied.
He is also under specialized geriatric care, tailored to meet the needs of an elderly bear. His daily condition is closely monitored by our veterinary and bear keeper teams. Due to his dental problems, his food is prepared as nutritious blended meals, allowing him to eat comfortably while getting the nourishment he needs. We continuously introduce a variety of food options to stimulate his appetite and ensure he receives a complete and balanced diet.
Thank you to everyone who has supported Amaco’s journey. Your kindness makes moments like this possible.
To celebrate our beloved Amaco, we prepared a special surprise, a yellow-themed present in the form of an ice block enrichment! and of course we couldn't forget to include his favorite snack, CORN!! The colour yellow reflects warmth, resilience and light. All the beautiful qualities that Amaco embodies. Despite his difficult past, he continues to shine gently in his own way.
A face that tells a story. More than the oldest sun bear here, Amaco stands as a symbol of strength and survival.
Thank you for standing by him. Thank you for believing in second chances. Thank you for giving hope HAPPY RESCUE DAY AMACO!
Meet our amazing Share Bear Adopters!
Thank you for supporting our Sun Bear Adoption Programme. Your contribution helps us protect and care for these rescued sun bears.
You can join our adoption family too, whether you visit our Centre or adopt online! Be a part of their wild journey today.
True Jesus Church, Elopura Visit
It was a pleasure welcoming today’s group (True Jesus Church Elopura, Sandakan) to our Centre.
We had a meaningful time sharing about sun bear conservation and were lucky to spot Romolina the sun bear snoozing high up in a tree.
Thank you for your interest and support in protecting these incredible bears.
Wildlife Conservation Education and Awareness Programme at SK. St. Monica, Sandakan
Today on the 23rd July 2025, BSBCC organised an outreach programme to SK St. Monica, Sandakan, Sabah. Teamed up with Sabah Wildlife Department, Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, Orangutan Appeal UK, Tropical Rainforest Conservation and Research Centre, Pangolin Aware, and Sandakan Borneo Bird Club, the half-day programme managed to engage more than 722 students and also 41 teachers in the school. Filled with activities such as mask coloring, interactive talks, quizzes and exhibition, the programme successfully captured the attention and eyes of the students.
We hope this works will be getting more attention to the public to ensure the next generation will become more aware, engaging and passionate to conserve our wildlife and nature.
Wildlife Conservation Education and Awareness Programme at SK Sungai Anib III, Sandakan
BSBCC had the wonderful opportunity to conduct an Environmental Education Outreach Programme at SK Sungai Anib III, Sandakan, Sabah by bringing conservation awareness and wildlife and biodiversity education straight to our youngsters! The programme was filled with fun and learning via educational talks, exhibitions, quizzes, and coloring competition, all with the objective to inspire the next generation to love and protect our wonderful biodiversity.
We would love to extend our deepest gratitude to SK Sungai Anib III for your warm welcome and active participation! And of course, a heartfelt thank you to our amazing partners for their support and contribution: Sabah Wildlife Department, Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, Orangutan Appeal UK, Tropical Rainforest Conservation and Research Centre and Pangolin Aware. See you all next time! Together, we plant the seeds of conservation for a greener tomorrow.
Leader Camp & Sahabat Alam Sekitar at SK. Muhibbah Sandakan
The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) was honored to take part in the “Leader Camp & Sahabat Alam Sekitar” at SK Muhibbah, Sandakan : a meaningful programme bringing together scouts from various schools to raise awareness about the importance of protecting our environment and wildlife.
Together with Tropical Rainforest Conservation & Research Centre (TRCRC), Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC), and Orangutan Appeal UK, we engaged with enthusiastic participants through interactive sessions — including a fun and educational quiz for every group that visited our booth. We hope the participants gained valuable knowledge and a deeper appreciation for nature. Together, we can do better for our planet and all its living beings!
Wildlife Conservation Education and Awareness Programme to SMK Elopura II
Wildlife Conservation Education and Awareness Programme
July 2025 is a busy month for our education team as we roll out our school outreach programmes to several schools across the Sandakan district.
Today, we kick-started the programme at SMK Elopura II with great success! Around 720 students participated in the event, which featured exhibitions from various organizations and inspiring sharing sessions attended by students from the Geography and Environment Club. It was truly exciting to witness the eagerness and enthusiasm of the students as they engaged in learning about wildlife conservation.
A huge thank you to our amazing partners: Sabah Wildlife Department, Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, Orangutan Appeal UK, and Tropical Rainforest Conservation and Research Centre for joining us today.
We also extend our heartfelt appreciation to our dedicated interns and volunteers from APE Malaysia for their incredible support.
Last but not least, thank you to the school principal and all the teachers of SMK Elopura II for making this event possible and successful. Together, we can inspire the next generation to care for our precious wildlife.
EERace29 Closing Ceremony
Today, Dr. Wong Siew Te joined the closing ceremony of Environmental Education Race (EERace29) at the Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sepilok, Sandakan. Group T, assigned to Sabah Parks (Selingan Island) and BSBCC, completed their tasks with excellence and were crowned the champions of this year’s race!
Congratulations to Group T!
Thank you to Sabah Forestry Department and all involved organisations for making the event a success. Let’s continue working together for a better environment!
EERace 29 - Group T Task 3 at BSBCC
On their stop at BSBCC for the 29th Environmental Education Race (EERace), Group T began with a fun and engaging pre-assignment: mimicking sun bear behaviours. Each participant had to perform the actions accurately while others guessed which natural behaviour of sun bears they were demonstrating.
Following the activity, Dr. Wong Siew Te delivered an inspiring talk, sharing his journey from the beginning and how BSBCC was established, with a strong focus on animal welfare and rehabilitation.
Next, the participants took part in a sun bear enrichment-making activity, creatively designing enrichment items to stimulate natural behaviours. They then headed to the observation platform, where they learned more about BSBCC’s roles in education, research, and eco-tourism. Here, they conducted simple bear observations and interviewed tourists to gain insights into eco-tourism perspectives.
Upon successfully completing all tasks, the group was rewarded with a goodies bag. We hope Team T left with a deeper understanding and appreciation of BSBCC’s vital role in protecting and conserving the sun bear. Good luck, Team T, and thank you for your enthusiasm!
Environmental Sharing Session at Sekolah Kebangsaan Malawa, Kota Kinabalu
In collaboration with Roots & Shoots Malaysia, Alliance Bank Malaysia hosted a meaningful environmental sharing session today at Sekolah Kebangsaan Malawa, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, as part of the AEIOU School Program.
We were proud to welcome over 180 passionate eco warriors from schools around Kota Kinabal.
Risnayati, our Environmental Education Officer, represented BSBCC and delivered an inspiring talk on the importance of sun bears, the threats they face in the wild, and the vital conservation and rehabilitation efforts carried out by BSBCC.
Together, we are nurturing a future generation of environmental leaders committed to protecting Malaysia’s unique wildlife.
The Mission to Save our Bornean Sun Bears
Itam the sun bear was rescued as a cub after her mother was killed. Now, after years of rehabilitation, she's being released back into the rainforest.
This rare moment was made possible by the team at the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, an organisation that has spent the last 17 years recuing and rehabilitating one of Southeast Asia's most vulnerable species.
Watch this story about Itam, the people who saved her, and why this small bear matters in the big fight to defend nature.
BSBCC's work is funded by Yayasan Hasanah and the Ministry of Finance.
Read the report at thr2024.yayasanhasanah.org