Learning and Volunteering at BSBCC
Text by Wafeq Mu’izzadin (UPM Intern)
Greetings,
My name is Wafeq Mu’izzadin, a 3rd year student of Veterinary Medicine from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
I learnt about BSBCC back in May 2023 during my 1st year of Veterinary School where I came to assist my lecturer to conduct research on the Bornean Sun Bear as I’m a local from Kinabatangan which is about 35 miles from Sepilok where the BSBCC are located. From here, I’m eager to learn more about the Bornean Sun Bear including its habitat, behavior, diet, and conservation status and also the importance of conserving them. At that moment, I started to plan my intention to conduct my wildlife internship where I also can volunteer to support the conservation effort for the Bornean Sun Bear later during my 3rd year, and now here I am with my friends that I manage to persuade to join me here.
Being a volunteer here for 2 weeks, although we carried out basic tasks such as cleaning the bear house, working in the kitchen preparing foods for the bears, fence checking, preparing the enrichment for the bears and others daily routine, but I do believe every routine here contributes significantly towards the sun bears rehabilitation and also their welfare. Every action here has a meaningful purpose, and the people are very friendly, welcoming, helpful, and funny, which makes the experience even more rewarding.
I learn much more about sun bears in BSBCC. Dr Wong and all of their staff are very kind to share the knowledge and encourage us to ask more questions along with volunteering. Every sharing session here is very fruitful with Dr. Wong, Miss Jacq (Bear care officer) and also Dr. Yeoh (BSBCC Veterinarian).
We also participated in dental checkups and treatments for the sun bears. The team included Dr. Cedric Tutt, Dr. Serena Oh, Dr. Nabila Sarkawi, Dr. Yeoh Boon Nie, and staff from BSBCC and the Sabah Wildlife Department.
During our volunteer work, we were tasked with creating enrichment for the bears. My buddy Izlan and I came up with the idea and built one called 'Dig-the-box' for a bear named Kwong. It was truly heartwarming to see Kwong enjoy the enrichment I created.
Overall, volunteering at BSBCC is physically demanding and requires hard work, but it is also an incredibly rewarding experience. I have gained valuable knowledge about wildlife conservation, particularly the Bornean Sun Bear. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone at BSBCC for their warm welcome and for guiding us throughout our volunteering. I hope this experience inspires others to recognize the important role we all play in preserving and protecting our natural resources.
"Only if we understand, can we care. Only if we care, we will help. Only if we help, we shall be saved." - Dr. Jane Goodall
Collecting branches for enrichment
Sprinkling some secret ingredients to boost the bears' sense of smell. Can you guess what's in the mix?
Dig-the-box is all set for Kwong to explore!
I will come back here again soon! Thank you all!
My Intern Story
Text by Muhammad Aqil (UPM Intern)
In last February to early March 2025, my seven friends and I, from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), started on a two-week wildlife internship at the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) in Sandakan, Sabah. This was an incredibly exciting opportunity for me, as it was my first time working closely with wildlife, especially the Bornean sun bear. Throughout my time there, I gained abundance of knowledge and hands-on experience. Initially, I wasn’t even aware that there were two subspecies of sun bears, but during my internship, I learned a lot about these cute sun bears and, more importantly, the critical role of the centre in conserving, rehabilitating, and releasing these bears back into the wild. Each rescued bear at the centre had its own unique story, and I was amazed by the dedication of the staff in providing the best care, from the youngest cubs to the oldest resident, Amaco who is 32 years old.
During my internship, I worked closely with the keepers, especially my assigned buddy, Carls. Together, we carried out daily routines such as cleaning cage, preparing food, administering medications, and conducting fence inspections. However, the most fascinating part of my work was creating enrichment activities for the bears. Enrichment is essential for captive animals as it stimulates their senses, enhances cognitive function, and reduces stress and boredom. We designed two types of enrichment: daily enrichment, which involved simple yet effective activities using natural materials like sticks, leaves, dried wood, and fruits, along with small amounts of natural-based ingredients such as spices, organic water spray, and peanut butter; and special enrichment, which was a more complex project tailored for individual bears. Carls and I originally designed an enrichment for Nano, but due to technical reasons, we ended up giving it to Jelita instead. Our goal was to create a comfortable resting space combined with a rolling pipe filled with treats, encouraging the bear to use its claws, tongue, and limbs to manipulate the structure and retrieve the hidden rewards. I sincerely hope Jelita enjoys and benefits from it for a long time.
As my internship came to an end, I felt a deep sense of appreciation for the entire team at BSBCC especially the bear keepers, veterinarian, and staff who welcomed us with kindness, shared their knowledge, and worked alongside us every day. Their passion and dedication to the conservation of Bornean sun bears were truly inspiring. This experience has strengthened my desire to contribute to wildlife conservation especially Bornean sun bear and I hope to return one day to continue supporting these incredible animals. It is my wish that our efforts will help ensure that the Bornean sun bear thrives for generations to come, serving as a symbol of pride for Malaysia.
Introducing "The Bear Crib". It's a treat-filled resting area that encourages physical interaction keeping them mentally stimulated and happy.
Putting my all into creating "The Bear Crib"!
Feeding time!
Exciting Moment at the Inauguration of Sandakan Vocational College 2
Today, BSBCC had the honor of being invited to the grand inauguration of Sandakan Vocational College 2, where we continue our strong partnership as a strategic collaborator in providing valuable industrial training opportunities for the college's students. Representing BSBCC at the event was our CEO and Founder, who attended alongside other distinguished guests. The event was officiated by the Minister of Education, YB Puan Fadhlina binti Sidek, and was also attended by Datuk Mokran Ingkat, the Member of the Sabah State Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Sungai Manila. We are thrilled to be part of this educational journey, supporting the next generation of skilled professionals in our community!
Highlights of My Internship Experience
Text by Marian Grace Modestus (UPM Intern)
During my veterinary internship at the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC), I had the incredible opportunity to deepen my understanding of sun bears, their behavior, management, and conservation efforts.
Throughout my time here, I learned about the crucial role sun bears play in the ecosystem and the challenges they face as an endangered species. Being passionate about animals, this experience was truly rewarding. I was actively involved in the daily management of the sun bears, which included tasks such as fence checking, fecal analysis, enclosure cleaning, feeding, health observation and maintenance, supplementation, and enrichment activities.
One key aspect of sun bear care is proper nutrition, which involves a well-balanced diet consisting of starchy fruits and leafy vegetables. Enrichment activities also play a vital role in conservation, as they promote natural behaviors while ensuring both mental and physical stimulation for the bears.
I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated staff at BSBCC for their kindness and passion for sun bear conservation. Their ability to teach and guide interns effectively made this experience even more meaningful. Their hard work and commitment to these amazing animals are truly inspiring.
Moving forward, I will take the knowledge and skills I have gained from this experience and apply them in my future career. This internship has reinforced my passion for wildlife conservation, and I am excited to contribute further to the well-being of animals and their habitats.
In summary, my internship at BSBCC provided me with valuable hands-on experience alongside theoretical education. The Centre plays a crucial role in sun bear conservation, and I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to its mission while gaining invaluable knowledge and skills.
#bsbcc #sunbear #beruang #internship #animalhusbandry #enrichment
I am making structural enrichment with guidance from my buddy.
Hammock for my favorite bear, Panda
Providing ample enrichments to ensure the physical and mental well-being of bears
Chasing Pitang: A Bear-y Energetic Adventure!
The struggles of keeping up with this ball of energy
Our 2nd soft release candidate - Pitang - keeps her caretakers on their feet as she is just getting used to being walked in the forest of Tabin Wildlife Reserve. She is curious and also excited to be free! We love to see her eyes light up when she's outside being her bear-y best self
Pitang has also graduated from a dummy collar to a GPS collar to ensure her safety and whereabouts during her rehabilitation journey with us. All the best to Pitang and thank you to everyone who has been a big part of her journey!
Khabir’s Experience Volunteering at BSBCC
Text by Muhammad Khabir (UPM Intern)
Hello! My name is Khabir from Johor studying Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). I volunteered for 2 weeks at BSBCC to finish my course requirement. Throughout my volunteering, I gained a lot of fulfilling knowledge and experience about bornean sun bear, husbandry care, health management and veterinary skills from the skilful, passionate and experienced workers here.
Despite studying animal related course and a Malaysian, I do not really know much about Bornean sun bear species. My two weeks volunteering was eye opening experience as I learn a lot of new things about this endangered species as well as internally growing my interest in wildlife. Every day, we are given with different tasks such as cleaning bear cages, preparing food, checking fence, preparing enrichment, observing bear behaviour and administering medicine. The bear house staffs are very friendly and willingly share their knowledge about the tasks and the bears. I also enjoy chitchatting, making jokes and sharing experiences with them.
Each day as a volunteer at BSBCC was exhausting but the experience, skill and knowledge gained are valuable. The management provided great accommodation, transportation, and well-planned daily activities. The buddy system helped us feel comfortable, and my buddy, Effendy, was funny, chill, helpful, and full of stories.
I've had the chance to assist in dental surgeries for Orangutans and bears, help with enrichment activities for international students, and go jungle trekking. Thanks to BSBCC for this unique opportunity. Besides, Sabah is beautiful with rich culture don’t miss exploring Sandakan and other districts!
Lastly, I would like to thank BSBCC and all of the staffs for the good hospitality. I respect their commitment to safe this endangered species as it is not an easy tasks and requires a lot of commitment, hard work and patience. I highly recommend anyone either Malaysian or non Malaysian who are interested, to volunteer at BSBCC.
州野生物局拟定10年计划，让州内马来熊命运获得保障
(亚庇12 日讯)州野生物局拟定了长达10年(2025-2034)的沙巴州马来熊行动计划,预料耗资4百75万令吉,让州内的马来熊未来的命运获得保障。
沙巴野生物总监莫哈末苏菲安表示,联邦旅游部挑选了马来熊作为2026年大马旅游年的吉祥物,这使到马来熊获得有史以来最高的关注。
他说,保育马来熊不但让这个物种得以在沙巴生存,同时也能成为沙巴旅游业的吸引力,为沙巴带来外汇。
他是在州野生局今早举行沙巴州马来熊行动计划推展礼上,如此向媒体表示。
负责主导这项计划的婆罗州马来熊保育中心首席执行员黄修德荣誉博士表示,由于马来熊面对生存的威胁,如盗猎及森林碎片化等,因此有必要推行一个完整的马来熊保育计划,让马来熊得以持续性在沙巴生存。
他说,这个计划涵盖的范围包括研究如何降低马来熊栖息地所受到的威胁、公众教育及醒觉、如何打击盗猎活动、提高马来熊的数量及法律角度等。
Bornean Sun Bear Action Plan
After two days we released Itam the sun bear at Tabin Wildlife Reserve, today is another big day for sun bear conservation in Sabah. Sabah Wildlife Department launched the 10 years Bornean Sun Bear Action Plan for Sabah, 2025 to 2034, today . The preparations of this action plan started way back in September 2019 during the second International Symposium on Sun Bear conservation and Management held in Kota Kinabalu.
Thanks to Dr Miriam Kunde, Professor Benoit Goossens, Danau Girang Field Centre and many others who spent uncounted hours to prepare this action plan into a reality. The plan will be an important guideline for Sabah Wildlife Department, government agencies, NGOs, universities and parties to work together for the conservation of Bornean sun bear in Sabah.
Personally, the launching of this plan means more busy for me and more security for the sun bear! Your supports in many ways are much appreciated in the next 10 years!
Borneo Post - Sabah unveils action plan to protect sun bears
Wong (right) presents a memento to a representative from the Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry, while Mohd Soffian (second from left) and Benoit (left) look on.
KOTA KINABALU (March 12): A 10-year Bornean Sun Bear Action Plan for Sabah was unveiled at the Sabah Wildlife Department office on Wednesday.
Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) chief executive officer and founder, Dr Wong Siew Te said the action plan is for the year 2025 to 2034, and is the first of its kind in the region.
The action plan, designed for Sabah, is a comprehensive document that emphasises the need for immediate, practical and adaptive conservation actions in order to ensure the long-term survival of the Bornean sun bears which are also known as “Beruang Madu”, “Honey Bears”, “Dog Bears” or “Malay Bears”.
The sun bear is classified as vulnerable to extinction on the IUCN Red List and protected under CITES Appendix I (CITES, 2022). In Sabah, the sun bear is a Totally Protected Species under Schedule 1, Section 1 of the Sabah Wildlife Conservation Enactment (WCE) 1997. Totally protected species under Schedule 1 cannot be hunted, and those killing sun bear and /or possessing sun bear products (paws, gall, bladder, skin, teeth, claws, bones and meat) and found guilty of an offence under Section 256 WCE 1997, the penalty is a minimum fine of RM50,000 and maximum of RM250,000 and imprisonment of no less than one year and up to five years.
The document results from an extensive consultation process initiated during the second International Symposium on Sun Bear Conservation and Management.
Wong mentioned that there is limited information on the sun bear’s population and said that he hoped during the duration of the action plan, this information could be found out.
He also shared that sun bears are able to survive in oil palm and industrial tree plantations as long as forested areas are present.
Sun bear decline in Sabah is directly attributed to habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting for traditional Chinese medicine (bear bile), pet trade, indirect snaring and road development (such as the Pan Borneo Highway that could lead to an increase of road kills).
The vision of the action plan is to secure the continued existence of a viable population of Bornean sun bears in Sabah.
Meanwhile, the 10-year goals of the action plan are to identify, develop and implement strategies and actions that will address the threats of the species that have been identified in Sabah by providing guidance to key players that will implement these strategies.
The main objectives of the action plan are to eliminate illegal exploitation of sun bears by (a) reducing the demand for their parts and products and by (b) improving law enforcement effectiveness pertaining to hunting, trade and use of sun bears and their parts; protect and restore sun bear habitats and populations by (a) protecting priority areas of natural sun bear habitat from road and other infrastructure development and mitigate effects of existing infrastructure and by (b) prioritising sites for the conservation of sun bears and establishing conservation targets and by (c) establishing and maintaining landscape connectivity throughout the sun bear range.
The action plan also aims to devise and employ methods to reliably monitor trends in sun bear populations by (a) implementing protocols for monitoring techniques that reliably detect population changes and occupancy for sun bears; maximize the contribution of ex-situ sun bear populations to conservation by (a) ensuring sun bear release initiatives adhere to internationally recognised guidelines; and increase cross-sectional support and collaboration for sun bear conservation by (a) raising awareness of sun bear conservation needs and the roles that can be played by individuals, society and the private sector and by (b) developing and supporting sun bear conservation research.
Wong also said that currently, there are 41 sun bears currently housed at the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, which is the first of its kind in the world.
He said that the sun bears ended up at the centre as orphans.
“Their mother is likely killed …hopefully such incidents will stop and should stop. In Singapore, they have just opened a park known as Rainforest. But we have the original rainforest in Sabah. So we should be proud of this and everyone should work hard to protect the sun bears,” he said.
He said that the aim is to release the sun bear back to the wild when they are ready.
Also present at the event were Sabah Wildlife Department director Mohd Soffian Abu Bakar and Danau Girang Field Centre director Benoit Goossens.
Daily Express - Sabah launches 10-year plan to protect endangered sun bears
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
By Sherell Jeffrey
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah has launched a 10-year Bornean Sun Bear Action Plan 2025–2034 to safeguard the endangered species through targeted conservation efforts.
Unveiled by the Sabah Wildlife Department and the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC), the plan addresses threats such as habitat loss and poaching.
The initiative also aligns with international conservation standards, reinforcing Sabah’s commitment to protecting Malaysia’s only bear species.
Key measures include forest protection, stricter law enforcement, and public education to enhance awareness and advocacy.
Designed as a dual-purpose strategy, the plan aims to preserve sun bears while sustaining Sabah’s rich biodiversity.
The Star - Freedom for Itam in the wild at last
KOTA KINABALU: The night was still. At exactly midnight, within the quiet confines of the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC), a team carefully loaded Itam, a five-year-old sun bear, into a metal crate, where her journey to freedom would begin.
For the first time in years, Itam was leaving her enclosure – not for another routine check-up this round, but for her real home.
Itam’s story began in June 2020, at the height of the global lockdown caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
When the world came to a standstill, Sabah’s forests saw an increase in poaching and illegal hunting.
It was during this time that a tiny, frail cub was found alone in an orchard located in Kg Kuala Sabinait, Nabawan.
She was weak, covered in dog bite wounds and far too young to survive without her mother.
The orchard owner, hearing his dogs barking, discovered her and took care of her for three weeks before realising she needed professional care. He then surrendered her to the Sabah Wildlife Department, a decision that likely saved her life.
At BSBCC, Itam relearned the instincts she lost – how to forage, climb trees, build nests and, most importantly, avoid humans.
Some rescued bears struggle with rehabilitation, growing too accustomed to people, but Itam was different.
“One of the best things about Itam is that she doesn’t like people,” said Nealbert Robert, one of her keepers.
“Even us, who have cared for her for years – she keeps her distance from. Unless we bring food, she wants nothing to do with us,” Robert said.
This natural wariness made her an ideal candidate for release.
As midnight approached, the team sedated her for a final health check, ensuring she was strong enough for the transition. Her tracking collar was secured, a crucial tool that will allow conservationists to monitor her movements in the wild.
Itam is the 13th rehabilitated sun bear to be released by BSBCC, marking another milestone in their ongoing conservation efforts.
Her destination: Tabin Wildlife Reserve, one of the last great sanctuaries for Sabah’s wildlife.
Spanning 1,200 sq km or slightly less than twice the size of Singapore, Tabin is home to wild sun bears, Bornean pygmy elephants and clouded leopards, among many others.
To ensure she was placed in the most remote area, a helicopter was chartered to transport Itam’s crate 23km into the heart of Tabin.
“We do this to give her the best chance of survival. The further away from human activity, the better,” said Dr Wong Siew Te, BSBCC’s founder.
Itam’s survival will depend on her ability to find food, establish her own territory and navigate a world she was born in, but one that she has never truly known.
The dense rainforest is filled with fig trees, a crucial food source, but Itam will need to learn how to locate them. She will also need to avoid other bears, as Tabin already has an existing sun bear population.
Itam tasted freedom at 11am yesterday, with her tracking collar providing data for the next 12 months to help conservationists track her movements.
The reality of wildlife rehabilitation is harsh – not every bear makes it, with Wong estimating that only 40% of rehabilitated sun bears survive in the wild in the long run due to predators, competition for food and the challenge of adapting to an unfamiliar environment.
However, as a biologist, he firmly believes that every effort should be made to ensure that wildlife belongs in the wild, free from human threats.
For the team at BSBCC, releasing a bear is never easy, especially after having watched over Itam since she was a cub and knowing they may never see her again.
“It’s always emotional to see them go. But this is what we work for – to see them return to where they belong,” said Robert.
Itam's Journey: From Rescue to Release
In 2020, Itam, a female sun bear cub, was found in an orchard in Kg. Kuala Sainait, Nabawan. The owner of the orchard found an orphan cub that appeared weak and had multiple dog bite wounds on her. The owner rescued the cub and eventually surrendered her to the Sabah Wildlife Department. Not long after, she became the 64th bear to be taken under the care of the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC).
Itam had severe dental problem during her initial health check and showed stress related behaviour such as cage biting, which may have been the cause. She has then grown up to be a healthy and independent sun bear! Itam has always been very alert to her surroundings and easily frightened. When feeling threated, she charges and barks at others as warning to stay away.
Growing up in BSBCC, she was integrated into a group of other similar aged bear cubs and immediately we noticed that she had a very close bond with another sun bear – Kipaku. Kipaku was a source of confidence for Itam, who was very shy and did not really want to bond with humans. Whereby Kipaku was confident, goofy and extremely habituated to humans. During fence training, Itam learned very quickly to avoid the electrical wires. However, she needed extra moral support from Kipaku when it came to going out into the forest enclosure. Kipaku would confidently explore the forest with Itam following close behind mirroring his every move.
Itam eventually showed signs of being very comfortable in the forest enclosure. She rarely came back to the bear house and would rather sleep high up in the thick forest canopy. She is the most elusive bear and her keepers always have a hard time trying to spot her. Even if they do, she is cautious, keeps her distance and will bark at them. Her keepers have observed her climbing at night and eating ants/insects from the tops of tall trees. She also would eat a variety of wild fruits that her keepers would find for her.
Over the past year, her management has been modified to suit a potential release candidate whereby her diet was changed to randomised amounts, variety and timing. Her exposure to humans has also been significantly decreased as only 3 keepers have been appointed to deal with her management and precaution (noise level and human activity) is taken when she is out in her enclosure. Behaviour observation data that was collected to further analyse her suitability to be a hard release candidate showed promising results!
Finally, the day has come!
On March 10, 2025, Itam was released into the Tabin Wildlife Reserve, a protected area known for its rich biodiversity. When the door was opened, Itam immediately ran out and we saw her slow down to explore her new home a bit before disappearing into the forest.
We are sad to see Itam go, but extremely happy to have been there with her throughout her journey growing up to be the amazing wild sun bear that she is. This release marks a major milestone for BSBCC as Itam becomes the 13th sun bear to be rehabilitated and released by the centre. The effort is part of BSBCC's ongoing mission to conserve the sun bear species and their forest habitat, which faces threats from deforestation, poaching and pet trade.
We are deeply thankful to everyone who made Itam’s journey, from rescue to release, possible. Her freedom is a result of your compassion, hard work, and unwavering support.
A Warm Welcome and a Fond Farewell!
Today, we are thrilled to welcome our new APE Malaysia international volunteers: Leo, Carolina, Klara, Hikari, Sakurako, and Tallulah! Thank you for joining us on this incredible journey to conserve the smallest bear species in the world—the sun bear. Your passion and dedication inspire us!
At the same time, we bid a heartfelt goodbye to our amazing UPM interns: Zaim, Rahman, Wen Huey, Marian, Aqil Aiman, Aqil, Khabir, and Wafeq. Thank you for your hard work, enthusiasm, and commitment to protecting these gentle and unique bears. You’ve made a lasting impact, and you’ll always be part of the BSBCC family.
Here's to teamwork, conservation, and a brighter future for sun bears everywhere!
#bsbcc #sunbears #conservation #volunteering #rehabilitation
Thank you Sin Chew Daily for this extensive coverage of our works
Sin Chew Daily
Sunday, 9 March 2025
