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!
