An Unconventional Hero
It all begins with an idea.
New Sunday Times, 26th November 2017
by Elena Koshy
Live Among the Sun Bear in the Wild
It all begins with an idea.
Text by Woo Chee Yoong
Photos by Woo Chee Yoong and Tee Thye Lim
The Island of Borneo is famous as the largest island in Asia and third largest island in the world. A vast and astonishing green area, covered with mysterious tropical rainforest, and so many amazing creatures that have not yet been discovered. Inside the island lies a very important habitat for the wildlife of Sabah. The Tabin Wildlife Reserve was once home to the Sumatran Rhinoceros, but sadly, the Sumatran Rhinoceros was declared extinct in the wild in Sabah, leaving the only two in captivity with Borneo Rhino Alliance, BORA, at Tabin.
During my internship period, I was given the chance to assist Tee Thye Lim, the BSBCC’s Operation Executive, who is currently conducting his Master’s research in Tabin Wildlife Reserve, with sun bears as his focus. His team assisted with his final sampling in the core area of the Tabin Wildlife Reserve for one month. First of all, I am very thankful for this opportunity given by Dr(Hon) Wong Siew Te, the founder of Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC), as well as Thye Lim. Besides myself, the other team members were Jeniur, Mizuno and Logan, who made the team complete, fit and tough. Each of them has their own strengths, and combined performed excellent teamwork. Hence, the sampling was smoothly completed. I feel thankful for the presence of these three warriors because they took good care of me as I was inexperienced living in a forest environment, and they always unselfishly taught and guided me with their own survival skills.
The methods we used for studying the sun bears at Tabin Wildlife Reserve were baited camera trapping and hair trapping. At each camera station, two trees were chosen as the targets and wrapped with duct tape to get the sun bear hair samples, and one of the trees was tied with bait made of shrimp paste and salted fish. The bait was wrapped inside a black net, and was hung above the tree within view of camera, in order to lure the sun bear to climb so its hairs would stick on the tape. Each camera was set up with photo and video mode. We stayed in the forest for two weeks in order to change the bait after one week.
Each day living in the forest posed a challenge for us, especially when the climate was not on our side. During the first two weeks, rainy days caused panic among us when the river water almost flooded to our camp site. Even huge trees were flushed away, known as “Water Head”. Then, in the next two weeks, we were hit by huge winds, known as “Wind Head”, and we could hear the sound of large trees falling to the ground. Even the calls of elephant or fresh footprints served to make us more alert to our surroundings.
However, it was not all hard work. We shared funny moment’s everyday which cheered us up and helped us forget our tiredness. We designed our own camp with comfortable hand-made furniture, and built tables, chairs and a kitchen area to induce more homely feeling. We bathed together in the super cold river (with underwear on of course), and watched movies in the forest using a phone and a speaker. We also played a poker card game called Bridge, where the losers were punished by washing the dishes, lighting the candles and making tea and coffee. The fried rice cooked by Mizuno was better than most of the dishes served by restaurant in the city. We did some crazy stuff, which will always be kept a secret by our team.
The best part of the experience was being able to witness the wildlife freely roaming in the forest. We heard the calls of gibbons and helmeted hornbills in the morning, and saw great argus’s right in front of us. Spotted hornbills flew round us, and bearded pigs, mouse deer, muntjac and sambar deer ran past us. A Malay civet even broke into our kitchen area! Lastly, we found sun bear claw marks and heard the loud barks of a sun bear when Jeniur and I were on our way to service a camera. Frightened and shocked were my reactions at the time, because the barks clearly showed that our presence was unwelcome. But it was a wonderful experience that I will always remember.
The forest is the sun bear’s home. We arrived uninvited, which is something that none of us in this world would like. Loggers and poachers are becoming more daring, and are exploiting every piece of this green land and the wildlife living inside it without mercy. More attention and funding are given to captive animals for education and research purposes, but wild animals need to be given the same attention and protection. I hope the public from all over the world will give more support to conservationists, like us at the BSBCC and other organisations which work to protect important species, such as Sun Bear. Preserving their main habitats is important to assure future of these species so they can continue to survive.
Outreach Programme - IJM Estate
It all begins with an idea.
On November 20th-24th, of 2017, BSBCC was invited by IJM Plantations Berhad to the Environmental Outreach program (Wildlife Awareness) in their two-region area. It took about 4 and a half hours to arrive at the Sugut regions estate by car. The main purpose of this program is to create awareness about our protected species and also share information and knowledge about sun bears. The BSBCC team prepared an exhibition booth to help the audience understand better about the programme. The audience comprise IJM Plantations estate Executives and staff in two regional estates in Sabah - Sugut regions (8 estates) and Labuk regions (3 estates). At the same time, we also held an awareness programme with the Humana Schools (A school for children of foreign plantation workers in IJM estates). A lot of activities were held during the programme, including talks, video show, sun bear mascot activities and a visit to exhibition booths. Besides BSBCC, our partners, the Wildlife Rescue Unit (WRU), were also invited to this program. Huge thanks to IJM Plantations Berhad for inviting us as well as for the continuous support given! We were really glad to see people learning more about Mother Nature.
Sungai Sabang estate staff visiting by BSBCC and WRU (Wildlife Rescue Unit).
Jeremy explaining sun bear's characteristics to students.
Group photo with the students.
Visiting our educational booth.
An Adamant Survivor - Kuamut
It all begins with an idea.
Text by Chiew Lin May
Photos by Seng Yen Wah & Chiew Lin May
Two kilograms of heavy metal chain with a brass lock tied on Kuamut’s neck may look amusing but the story behind it is heartbreakingly sad. Kuamut was a sub adult when she was rescued by Sabah Wildlife Department from illegal pet ownership and being kept in a small iron cage at a village on the Kinabatangan River on 13th January, 2009.
When she arrived, she was in a bad condition from where her neck was tied with an enormously heavy metal chain since she was a cub. Her neck was found thin and worn.
She was extremely stressed during the arrival and had a fearful expression in her eyes. It was heartbreaking to see such a young sun bear without her mother to comfort and protect her.
We are absolutely delighted to have rescued her and will give her the best chance of surviving and returning one day to her forest home where she belongs. She has settled into her new environment very well. BSBCC provides different types of enrichment – such as toys and food based ones to encourage natural behaviors and stimulation. She explores all the enrichment but sometimes will struggle to figure them out. Kuamut is very fond of eating and loves all her meals. She really enjoys her fruits, especially tropical fruits and honey! She will slowly gain strength, confidence and develop her independence to survive in the forest.
After she finished quarantine, she was moved to the bear house and was introduced to the adult females in April 2010. She is a beautiful bear. Kuamut developed good relationships with adult female, Tokob. They loved to spend time sharing bear stories and play wrestling a lot.
But sadly, Kuamut has lost her best friend, Tokob. She passed away on 25th April 2015 due to respiratory and circulatory failure. Tokob with her beautiful yellow “batman” shaped crescent and the most slender, will be missed by Kuamut. Then after a year of Tokob passing away, Kuamut slowly displayed trust towards her other bear pals. She now is closer with an eleven year old, adult female sun bear, Susie. The only one she will play wrestle with. Susie loving the attention, has helped Kuamut grow in confidence.
Kuamut is now ten years old, her sleek, dark coat and muzzle make her adorable. During rehabilitation at BSBCC where the rescued sun bears can learn to climb trees, forage for food, make a nest to sleep in at night in the forest enclosure and develop all the wild behavior they need to survive in the wild.
Kuamut finally took her brave first step out into the forest enclosure in June 2010. She walked out into the sunshine with the confidence of knowing her life was now safe and displayed wonderful bear behavior! She was able to adapt in the forest just like a wild sun bear and equipped with the survival skills.
She loves to play, climb trees and occasionally loves to borrow and stay at other sun bear friends’ tree nest!
She loves to borrow and stay at other sun bear friends’ tree nests!
Her enthusiasm can be seen where she loves breaking branches, climbing trees, foraging in termites nests and digging deep into the soil. These seem to be her favourite activities throughout the day. She likes keeping herself busy at all possible times. This is not a problem for her as she is very skillful in foraging for natural foods like termites, beehives and invertebrates. She has proved to us that she is an exceptional tree climber and is eager to explore.
She will find her favourite trees to climb. Slowly she recovers from a life of hardship and embarks on a new way of life. She grows up peacefully in the forest. She never gets along with Cerah and Jelita. Whenever Cerah and Jelita try to climb a tree that is her favourite, she will make a noise and give warning to chase them away. Be warned not to alarm her with sudden movements or noises! She will immediately climb up into the trees where she feels safe.
Kuamut is a quiet and gentle bear. We are pleased to report that she is doing really well in the forest. Every day she goes on her independent adventures in the forest. She has found a new big log and will spend time there together with Susie.
Kuamut can be easily spotted and never misses an afternoon nap on the platform near the bear house.
Sometimes she will just sit and sniff around, perhaps enjoying the smell of freedom!
Commercial hunting and poaching remain the biggest threat to sun bear survival. Sun bears have declined by at least 30% over the past 30 years and will continue to decline at this rate if NO action is taken. Sun bears are protected by law in Sabah under the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997. Please help us protect sun bears from extinction before it is too late. You can make the difference!
The Bornean Sun Bear
Text by Yvonne Chong Yee Wen
Photos by Yvonne Chong Yee Wen, Chiew Lin May & Seng Yen Wah
The Bornean Sun Bear is scientifically known as Helarctos Malayanus. It is the smallest species of bear found in the tropical forest habitats of Southeast Asia. Characteristics of sun bears include its long tongue (which is used to extract honey and insects) and a chest marking, unique to every sun bear.
Sun bears are opportunistic omnivores that feed mainly on termites, insects, larvae and a large variety of fruit species. Sun bears have several different roles within the forest, which provide many benefits to tropical ecosystems.
Sun bears are now facing the threats of commercial hunting and poaching, habitat loss, and being illegally kept as a pet. They belong in the wild. Please spread the word and protect the sun bear!
< 婆羅洲之子 —— 馬來熊 >
婆羅洲馬來熊（Bornean Sun Bear），又名太陽熊，也叫狗熊，學名為Helarctos Malayanus，屬哺乳熊科，它是全世界8種熊科動物中體型最小的熊類。馬來熊是依賴森林生存的物種，它們棲息和活動於東南亞地區的熱帶雨林，主要分佈於馬來西亞、越南、印尼、柬埔寨、泰國、緬甸、遼國、中國南部與印度東部等。
馬來熊的特征
馬來熊的身長約120至150公分，雄性的熊體重可達30至60公斤左右，而雌性的體重是20至40公斤。它們尾巴的長度約5公分，耳朵小而圓，毛髮短，呈深棕色抑或黑色，而鼻子色澤通常為灰至橙色。此外，馬來熊還擁有約30公分之長的舌頭，而如此長的舌頭的主要功能是讓它們舔食蜂巢裡的蜂蜜，以及其他的小昆蟲，如：白蟻、球狀馬陸和其他幼蟲等。
它們的四肢短，向內彎，行走時呈內八型；掌心粉紅色，無毛且柔軟，就像人類的掌心一樣，這能夠讓它們在森林地面安靜地行走。被稱之為爬樹高手的馬來熊，爪子呈鐮刀狀，長而銳利，這能夠使它們穩固地抓牢樹木；此外，尖銳的爪子也是它們用作挖掘和撕開朽木來尋找食物，如：白蟻、昆蟲的覓食主要工具。
除此之外，每一隻馬來熊最為顯著的特征就是它們胸前的胸斑（Chest Mark），每一隻熊的胸斑皆有不同的色澤，大部分為乳白色或橙色，並含斑點。因此，馬來熊最為獨特的特點是每一隻熊都擁有它們獨一無二的胸斑，這猶如人類的指紋，獨一無二，也是個人的記號，儘管是雙胞胎的馬來熊也絕對不會出現相同胸斑的情況。
馬來熊的自衛方法
馬來熊的聽覺與嗅覺特別靈敏，當它們感受到有威脅時，會用後腿站立，這是一種向對方發出警告和自衛的舉動；馬來熊又叫做狗熊，這是因為它吠聲如狗，當它們感受到威脅或不高興時，會發出像狗吠般的咆哮怒吼聲。
對於每一隻野生動物而言，自我防衛與保護是一件非常重要的事情，與其他的熊類如大熊貓相比，馬來熊的動作較為靈敏和快速。
馬來熊的爪子和尖銳的犬齒是它們最好的自我保護工具。它們的頸部有一圈非常厚而鬆弛的皮膚，這能夠使它們在打架時、被其他動物攻擊時或被獵人徒手抓住時，能夠及時扯起鬆弛的皮膚，鬆開和及時逃走，抑或反咬對方；而鋒利的爪子能幫助它迅速地爬上樹上閃避攻擊。
馬來熊繁殖習性與成長過程
馬來熊並沒有固定的交配季節，雌熊平均懷孕期為96天左右，大部分一胎只產一隻幼崽，生產雙胞胎或多隻的情況是極少的。在野外生活的雌熊通常會尋找大樹洞或已空心的大木頭為它繁殖的窩；剛出世的幼崽體型是非常小的，無毛、無牙，甚至是無視覺與嗅覺的，但胸前的胸斑卻清晰可見。
幼熊需要花上2、3年的時間從母熊身上學習生活技能，如：覓食、爬樹、如何自衛等。因此，在幼熊還未學成前必須依賴母熊的照顧才能生存，它們需要母熊餵食和保護。
而邁入成熟期的熊，它們會開始離開母熊獨立生活，並建立起自己的家園。雄性的馬來熊在森林的活動範圍約15平方公里，而雌性的馬來熊活動範圍是5平方公里。當馬來熊進入性成熟期時，就會在交配期間尋找交配對象，其餘時間都是獨立生活，爬樹、覓食和築巢。
其實馬來熊壽命頗長，但由於在野外生活的它們必須面對與其他熊隻或其他動物的競爭、自然和人為的災害（各種天災、獵人的捕殺、森林被砍伐與發展）、食源短缺等的影響，它們存活的幾率和壽命便會大大減低。
馬來熊的食性
馬來熊屬雜食性動物
一般人會認為熊類是肉食動物，但其實馬來熊是雜食性的。它們主要的食物包含了：水果、昆蟲、蜂蜜、無脊椎動物等。
在野外，水果成了馬來熊的主食之一，如：野生榴蓮、香蕉、椰子、紅毛丹、蓮心果（Langsat）、香波羅（Tarap）等。但其實以上大部分的水果皆屬季節性的，因此常年結果的無花果便扮演了重要的角色，也成了馬來熊主要食物之一。
椰子是馬來熊喜愛的水果之一
在馬來文裡，馬來熊名為Beruang Madu，Beruang是熊的意思，而Madu意為蜜糖。它之所以被稱之為「蜜糖熊」是因為它非常喜歡吃蜂蜜。因此，它們會利用它們敏銳的嗅覺尋找蜂巢所在地，再用尖銳有力的爪和非常長的舌頭將蜂蜜挖舔出來享用。
馬來熊的主食也包括無脊椎動物。無脊椎動物指的是白蟻、蜈蚣、馬陸蟲（球狀馬陸、扁背馬陸）、幼蟲等。在非水果季節的時候，馬來熊就會把大部分的時間用於尋找這些無脊椎動物來充飢。
球狀馬陸
白蟻
馬來熊的角色
馬來熊體型雖小，但卻在森林裡扮演了非常重要的角色：
（壹）種子播遷者
在野外，馬來熊會食取各式各樣的果實，如：野生榴蓮、紅毛丹、無花果等，在食取的過程中，它們會把果實的種子也一併吞下，而那些未經消化的種子會通過它們排洩糞便的時候排除體外，這樣的過程稱之為「種子播遷」，這樣能夠使種子遠離母樹，並能夠減少和降低種子與母樹之間的生長競爭，大大提高種子生存的幾率。
因此，馬來熊扮演了提升各種樹木生長率的重要角色。
（貳）森林工程師
擁有堅固鋒利爪子的馬來熊是非常出色的爬樹高手。馬來熊攀爬上樹的原因除了為了築巢、休息和曬日光浴以外，便是要尋找蜂巢，以獲得它們最愛的食物——蜂蜜；它們會利用它們強壯尖銳的爪子和犬齒來拔開樹幹和挖掘蜂巢。
馬來熊會利用它們強壯尖銳的爪子和犬齒來拔開樹幹和挖掘蜂巢以取得甜美可口的蜂蜜
當熊把樹上的蜂巢都挖空了之後，便會形成一個空穴，而這些空穴便成了給其他動物，如：犀鳥、飛鼠等築巢与栖息的地方。
（叁）森林醫生
白蟻是一種會覓食於朽木或健康的樹木的昆蟲，而有些白蟻會在樹上築巢，因此會逐漸腐蝕和破壞它們所寄住的那棵樹，進而導致樹木死亡。
白蟻也是馬來熊喜愛的食物之一，當它們尋找到白蟻窩時，它們會使用長長的舌頭和爪子破壞白蟻窩以取食。馬來熊通過食取白蟻的這個習性有效地控制白蟻族群的數量，為森林的健康做出了一份保障與貢獻。
（肆）森林農夫
除了水果和蜂蜜以外，馬來熊還喜好吃無脊椎動物，例如：蚯蚓、幼蟲、扁背馬陸、球狀馬陸等。馬來熊會翻動和挖掘泥土以尋找這些食物，而這樣的過程能夠將貧瘠的土壤和營養豐富的養分混合在一起，促進了森林裡的養分循環。
馬來熊的厄運
（壹）家園慘遭破壞
當馬來熊的家園遭到嚴重破壞時，它們該如何生存？
您曾設想過倘若一天森林消失了，我們將會面對什麼問題？對動物們又會造成什麼樣的影響？森林是所有野外動物，包括馬來熊的家園，因此當森林被肆意砍伐和破壞時，許多動物就會失去家園。
然而，如今大部分的森林已被過度伐木和發展農業活動，如：油棕園、橡膠園等給取代了；如此過度的發展其實已經嚴重影響和破壞了馬來熊的棲息地。如果無法阻止森林過度發展和砍伐的浩劫，馬來熊將會面臨絕種的危機。
（貳）盜獵活動盛行
您可知道在婆羅洲獵殺或盜獵馬來熊已經被列為非法的活動？
在1997年沙巴野生動物保護憲法之下，馬來熊已屬「完全受保護」品種（Totally Protected Species），凡觸法者，即盜獵、獵殺、販賣、飼養以及擁有有關馬來熊產製品的人將會面臨10萬馬幣罰款或被判10年徒刑，或兩者兼施。
但不幸的是，儘管馬來熊已得到憲法的保護，但獵殺馬來熊的活動卻依舊盛行至今。他們捕殺馬來熊絕大部分是為了取得它那能被製成傳統藥物，俗稱能醫百病的熊膽與膽汁；而為了獲取被稱之為尚品佳餚的熊掌也是他們捕殺馬來熊的主要原因之一。
大部分獵人會為了取得熊掌而對它們狠下毒手
不僅如此，儘管社會文明已在逐步進步與發展，但對於婆羅洲部分的原住民而言，馬來熊的肉仍是他們傳統的食物之一，其爪子、犬齒以及皮毛等更被當成裝飾品。因此，至今馬來熊仍然難逃非法獵殺的厄運！
現今仍然有部分的原住民會非法獵取馬來熊的犬齒以當做他們傳統的裝飾品
（叁）被當寵物飼養
馬來熊長得和狗非常相似
由於馬來幼熊長得十分可愛，和幼犬長得非常相似，因此很多人會把它們當做寵物來飼養。但您可有想過，馬來熊真的適合被當做寵物飼養嗎？
儘管馬來熊是熊科裡體型最小的熊類，但它的力氣、尖銳的牙齒和爪子可是不容忽視的！當幼熊成年後，它將會成為具有攻擊性的馬來熊。許多飼養馬來熊的飼主常常會認為年長的馬來熊具有危險性，會給他們帶來威脅，因此會把它們常年關在鐵籠子裡，甚至會使用非常粗重的鐵鏈套在它們的頸項，以防止它們攻擊自己。
但馬來熊真的適合被飼養在籠子裡嗎？
許多馬來熊被當成寵物飼養，導致它們過著不適當的生活
被當做寵物來飼養的馬來熊，一般都被困在狹窄的鐵籠子裡生活，總日活在恐懼不安與不健康的環境當中，並且會被餵食不適當的食物，從而造成它們營養不良的情況，嚴重影響發育與健康狀況。
一般的獵人在野外捕捉幼熊作為寵物時，他們就必須先把母熊給射殺。在森林裡，幼熊其實需要花上2、3年的時間從母熊身上學習生活技能，可是獵人把它們從母熊身邊帶離當做寵物飼養時，幼熊就失去向母熊學習的機會，導致不能獨立生活。而且絕大多數的人並不了解馬來熊的習性，因此在這樣的因素下，在不恰當的飼養方式中生活的馬來熊，都過著糟糕的生活，也就是說，它們沒有能力在野外森林裡生存，無法做隻真正的馬來熊了！
請記住，森林才是馬來熊的家，而不是那個冷冰無情的銅鐵籠子！
總日被關在狹小的籠子裡度日的馬來熊，如何還有快樂可言？
請記住，森林才是馬來熊的家！
Educational Activities - Group Visits (November 2017)
SK Sungai Nangka Preschool
A school visit from SK Sungai Nangka Preschool, Beluran visited BSBCC on November 18th, 2017. The school children came together with their teachers and parents. They were given a short introduction on sun bears with our sun bear mascot and later they were brought to the observation platforms to see the bears roaming in the forest enclosure. The children, together with their parents and teachers, enjoyed their time at our Centre learning about sun bears and the environment. We were glad to share our knowledge on Sun Bears with them. We believe that environmental education can help in the efforts to save Sun Bears and their habitat for generations to come.
Tadika Ming Chung
A group of kindergarten children from nearby Tadika Ming Chung visited BSBCC on November 4th, 2017. The visit was guided by BSBCC staff to view sun bears in the forest enclosure. The kids were lucky enough to be able to spot a Crested serpent eagle and an Orangutan, as well as sun bears. On November 10th, 2017, the BSBCC team once again were glad to host another visit from SALY-B participants of Kg. Bakong-Bakong SALY-B or Sustainable Alternative Livelihoods for Youths in Sabah, an initiative by Forever Sabah and Raleigh Borneo, which develops young people's skills, knowledge and network to enable them to manage their environment, develop green enterprises, and protect valuable biodiversity in Sabah. Our Education Officer, Risnayati showed them around the Centre and gave them a brief introduction on sun bears and BSBCC.
Shocking holiday
encounter leads couple to create sunscreen that saves endangered bears
The Daily Telegraph, 17th November 2017
by Ali Lowe
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/manly-daily/shocking-holiday-encounter-leads-couple-to-create-sunscreen-that-saves-endangered-bears/news-story/48b26f9bab9da2027eca3be9571ffef4
9th East & Southeast Asian
Wild Animal Rescue Network Conference (WARN)
Text by Chiew Lin May
Photos by Tee Thye Lim & Chiew Lin May
Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) is glad they attended the 9th East and Southeast Asian Wild Animal Rescue Network Conference (WARN Conference) from 7th to 11th November 2017 in Cuc Phuong, Vietnam. This year, the WARN Conference was hosted by the Endangered Primate Rescue Centre (Cuc Phuong, Vietnam). A total of 70 participants from 18 organizations attended the conference and shared their experiences related to animal rescue, rehabilitation and release through presentations, practical workshops and site visits to their rescued centres. The theme of this year was “Wildlife Rescuing,Rehabilitation and Release”.
The purpose of WARN is to enhance the capabilities of East and South East Asian wildlife rescue centers to rescue and conserve wildlife, provide conservation awareness education for the public and advocate minimum standards for wildlife rescue centers.
One of the highlights of the conference was the post conference tour to
i. Endangered Primate Rescue Center
ii. Save Vietnam’s Wildlife (Carnivore and Pangolin Conservation Program)
iii. The Turtle Conservation Centre
iv. FOUR PAWS Bear Sanctuary Ninh Binh
v. Van Long Nature Reserve
The conference was a great opportunity to tackle the ongoing wildlife crisis and develop better rescue, rehabilitation and release animal care. Huge thanks to WARN Members and Endangered Primate Rescue Center for hosting this successful 9th WARN Conference. It was great sharing experience!!
This year, the WARN Conference was hosted by the Endangered Primate Rescue Centre (Cuc Phuong, Vietnam)
One of the highlights of the conference was the post conference tour to Endangered Primate Rescue Center.
One of the highlights of the conference was the post conference tour to Save Vietnam’s Wildlife (Carnivore and Pangolin Conservation Program).
One of the highlights of the conference was the post conference tour to Save Vietnam’s Wildlife (Carnivore and Pangolin Conservation Program).
One of the highlights of the conference was the post conference tour to new FOUR PAWS Bear Sanctuary Ninh Binh.
One of the highlights of the conference was the post conference tour to new FOUR PAWS Bear Sanctuary Ninh Binh.
One of the highlights of the conference was the post conference tour to observe Delacour's langur at Van Long Nature Reserve.
One of the highlights of the conference was the post conference tour to observe Delacour's langur at Van Long Nature Reserve.
One of the highlights of the conference was the post conference tour to observe Delacour's langur at Van Long Nature Reserve.
Dr Wong Siew Te has been elected as the WARN board member! Congrats Wong!! — with Wong Siew Te.
WARN Conference Group Photo.
WARN Conference Group Photo.
Notable Visitors - Tradewinds Plantation Berhad
A group of six staff members from Tradewinds Plantation Berhad visited BSBCC on November 3rd, 2017. Dr. Wong Siew Te brought them for a tour around the observation platforms to see the bears in the forest enclosure. This company has also adopted three of our sun bears under the My Bear Adoption Programme, named Jelita, Linggam and Simone. Adopting a bear is a great way to learn about sun bears while helping BSBCC meet the costs of rehabilitation. Funds raised by the adoption program are used to better the lives of all bears. Thank you for your visit and the support!
Dr. Wong explaining the sun bear's behavior in the forest.
Observing sun bears in the forest enclosure from the observation platform.
Dr. Wong receiving a mock-cheque from Mr. Charles Chow Kok Cheng, Senior General Manager of Tradewinds Plantation Berhad.