SJK (C) Pai Sheng, Kunak Visit
Thank you SJK (C) Pai Sheng all the way from Kunak to visit us today! They enjoyed seeing the Sun Bears in the forest enclosure for the first time and learning about them. We hope they had a great time while visiting here, and gained some knowledge about Sun Bears. Thank you once again and see you!
Tabika KEMAS Gum-Gum Jaya Visit
A day of discovery and learning at the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre!
A big thank you to Tabika KEMAS Taman Gum-Gum Jaya Sandakan, for spending the day with us. We hope they had a great time while visiting here, and gained some knowledge about Sun Bears.
14th Borneo Bird Festival
It’s exciting to be part of the 14th Borneo Bird Festival, held from October 26th to 27th, 2024, at the Rainforest Discovery Centre in Sepilok, Sandakan!
This annual festival celebrates the incredible birdlife of Borneo and promotes greater awareness of nature conservation, birdwatching tourism, and showcases the latest optics and camera gear for nature enthusiasts. The two-day event is packed with activities: expert-led workshops and talks, guided birdwatching walks, coloring and drawing contests, bird photography competitions, wildlife conservation exhibitions from various organizations and many more. It’s a fantastic opportunity to connect with nature and fellow birding enthusiasts!
Rescue No. 70 - Playful Pitang
On October 16 2024, an individual on their way to Long Pasia found a "red-eyed and weak" sun bear cub by the roadside near Masapol, Sipitang. With no mother in sight and being concerned for her wellbeing, they promptly handed her over to the Wildlife Department. She was given the name ‘Pitang’, is approximately 4 months old and weighed 5kgs when she arrived at BSBCC yesterday (October 25, 2024). She is a little skinny but overall healthy and has already captured all our hearts.
Meeting her for the first time, she was calm and warmed up almost instantly to the people looking at her from outside her carrier. She looked around at everyone with her big round eyes that seems too big for her small head. Her paws are almost all black with only little patches of pink! It has only been one night in BSBCC and we have noticed how active she is. She has already managed to climb up into her basket on her own after a few minutes being in her new cage.
Nevertheless, our dedicated team will focus on her recovery and nurture her back to full health.
From providing proper nutrition, to monitoring her health and creating a stimulating environment, we aim to give Pitang the best start in life. Her story is a reminder of the importance of conservation efforts and the impact of community vigilance in protecting our wildlife. Together, we can make a difference for sun bears like Pitang.
#bsbcc #SunBear #conservation #Rehabilitation
Kosmo : ‘Kami sayang awak Kukuton’
KOSMO! ONLINE
Oleh NUR HIDAYAH MOHD. BOZID (22 Oktober 2024, 4:28 pm)
PETALING JAYA – Kukuton, beruang matahari yang dihimpit trauma selama tujuh tahun dilaporkan mati akibat kegagalan jantung pada 17 Oktober lalu ketika sesi latihan pagar.
Kematian beruang matahari itu diumumkan pengasas Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC), Wong Siew Te di Facebook, kelmarin.
Menurutnya, Kukuton dikenali dengan kisah traumanya di mana dia dikurung dalam sangkar kecil selama tujuh tahun.
Kejadian itu menyebabkan dia mempunyai tingkah laku stereotaip yang merosakkan diri dan memiliki tubuh badan yang kecil.
“Walaupun dengan masa lalunya, Kukuton sentiasa berjiwa lembut. Dia membawa kegembiraan kepada semua yang mengenalinya, dan ketiadaannya akan sangat dirasai,” tulisnya dalam hantaran tersebut.
Wong juga menjelaskan kematian beruang matahari itu berlaku semasa sesi latihan pagar yang merupakan prosedur rutin bagi memastikan semua beruang mengenali pagar elektrik sebelum dibebaskan ke kawasan hutan.
“Malangnya, sesi latihan kali ini menjadi terlalu tertekan bagi Kukuton dan masalah kesihatan yang tidak disedari sebelum ini menjadi lebih teruk.
“Penjaganya bertindak cepat untuk memberi bantuan, namun Kukuton tidak memberi reaksi positif,” katanya.
Dalam pada itu, Wong turut meminta orang ramai yang mengenali Kukuton untuk mengenang kembali perjalanan hidup haiwan berkenaan yang berdepan dengan pelbagai cabaran.
“Marilah kita ingati cinta Kukuton kepada penjaganya dan telatah comelnya. Semoga ingatannya menjadi sumber ketenangan dan inspirasi buat semua yang mengenalinya.
“Kami sayang awak Kukuton,” tulis Wong. – KOSMO! ONLINE
MALAYMAIL - Goodbye, sweet Kukuton: Sabah sanctuary loses sun bear to stress from prep for release
MALAYMAIL
By Julia Chan
Monday, 21 Oct 2024 12:45 PM MYT
An undated photograph shows Kukuton as the Borneon Sun Bear Conservation Centre. — Picture from Facebook/Borneon Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC)
KOTA KINABALU, Oct 21 — A nine year old sun bear has died in captivity from stress of training at the Borneon Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC).
BSBCC founder Wong Siew Te said this was the first time the centre has lost a bear due to fence training that was meant to prepare it for release.
“Kukuton's passing happened during his fence training. This is a very routine training that Kukuton and all bears go through to ensure they recognize the electrical fence before they are released to the forest enclosure.
“Unfortunately this particular fence training event was stressful for him which unknowingly exacerbated his underlying health issues and it led to cardiac failure,” said Wong.
His keepers were observing him during the training and immediately attended to him, but Kukuton did not respond to resuscitation.
Wong said it was unusual for bears to die of stress, but explained that Kukuton had been unique due to his background.
Prior to the centre, he had been kept in small cage and suffered malnourishment and underdevelopment.
An undated photograph shows Kukuton as the Borneon Sun Bear Conservation Centre. — Picture from Facebook/Borneon Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC)
“Kukuton was known for his traumatic past of being kept in a small cage for seven years which led to him arriving with a lot of self harming stereotypic behaviours and an obvious small body size.
“Even with his past, Kukuton was always a gentle soul, very kooky but had soft inquisitive eyes. He brought joy to all who knew him, and his absence will be deeply felt,” said Wong.
Wong said Kukuton was making progress during his training and was a model of strength and resilience, who entertained keepers with his silly antics.
“However hard life was for him, he was still the sweet bear his keepers loved him to be,” said Wong.
The Sandakan-based centre now has 42 bears left.
Hari Bertemu Pelanggan Pekan Botition, Beluran
Yesterday we joined an event organised by Sabah Wildlife Department at Pekan Botition, Beluran, Sabah. The programme aimed to engage the community in the area by providing awareness on the conservation of wildlife and the legals and legislations of wildlife in Sabah. The organiser also set up registration booth for easier permit application for the bird nest farmers around the area. This is a proof of the commitment of the Sabah Wildlife Department to preserve the wildlife in Sabah while managing the need of the local people in Sabah.
The programme started at 9 am with the introduction to the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997, licensing, several government initiatives to help the locals and followed by talk from BSBCC and then ended up with visits to the participants booth. The whole programme was done by 12.30 pm. Thank you Sabah Wildlife Department for inviting us.
Daily Express: Much-adored Bornean sun bear in Sandakan sanctuary dies
Daily Express
Published on: Saturday, October 19, 2024
Kukuton was known for his traumatic past of being kept in a small cage for seven years. (Photos: Facebook/Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre)
KOTA KINABALU: A much-adored Bornean sun bear in a Sandakan wildlife sanctuary has died.
"Today, we mourn the loss of our beloved sun bear, Kukuton. He passed away on October 17th, 2024, at the young age of nine," said the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) on Facebook.
Kukuton was known for his traumatic past of being kept in a small cage for seven years which led to him arriving with a lot of self harming stereotypic behaviors and an obvious small body size.
Even with his past, according to the centre, Kukuton was always a gentle soul, very "kooky but had soft inquisitive eyes".
"He brought joy to all who knew him, and his absence will be deeply felt".
Kukuton's passing happened during his fence training, the centre explained.
"This is a very routine training that Kukuton and all bears go through to ensure they recognise the electrical fence before they are released to the forest enclosure," BSBCC recounted.
"Unfortunately this particular fence training event was stressful for him which unknowingly exacerbated his underlying health issues and it led to cardiac failure. His keepers were observing him during the training and immediately attended to him but Kukuton did not respond to resuscitation.
"While we grieve his loss, we also celebrate his life and the progress he was making during his time with us. Kukuton is the definition of strength and resilience. However hard life was for him, he was still the sweet bear his keepers loved him to be."
"Let us remember Kukuton's love for his keepers and his silly antics. May his memory be a source of comfort and inspiration for all who knew him. We love you Kukuton."
In Loving Memory of our beloved sun bear, Kukuton
Today, we mourn the loss of our beloved sun bear, Kukuton. He passed away on October 17th, 2024, at the young age of nine. Kukuton was known for his traumatic past of being kept in a small cage for 7 years which led to him arriving with a lot of self harming stereotypic behaviors and an obvious small body size. Even with his past, Kukuton was always a gentle soul, very kooky but had soft inquisitive eyes. He brought joy to all who knew him, and his absence will be deeply felt.
Kukuton's passing happened during his fence training. This is a very routine training that Kukuton and all bears go through to ensure they recognize the electrical fence before they are released to the forest enclosure. Unfortunately this particular fence training event was stressful for him which unknowingly exacerbated his underlying health issues and it led to cardiac failure. His keepers were observing him during the training and immediately attended to him but Kukuton did not respond to resuscitation.
While we grieve his loss, we also celebrate his life and the progress he was making during his time with us. Kukuton is the definition of strength and resilience. However hard life was for him, he was still the sweet bear his keepers loved him to be.
Let us remember Kukuton's love for his keepers and his silly antics. May his memory be a source of comfort and inspiration for all who knew him. We love you Kukuton
BSBCC X LKWP Sun Bear Keeper Workshop 2024
Joining hands for sun bear welfare! The BSBCC team recently collaborated with Lok Kawi Wildlife Park and APE Malaysia for a 4 day Sun Bear Keeper Workshop. The workshop delved into vital aspects such as sun bear ecology, health and welfare, discussed innovative enrichment ideas, and concluded with thorough health checks on three beloved sun bears. This partnership marks a significant step forward in enhancing the care and understanding of these incredible creatures.
Thank you to Lok Kawi Wildlife Park for inviting us to share and discuss about improving the welfare of the sun bears!
#bsbcc #lokkawiwildlifepark #APEMalaysia #SunBear #conservation
The Borneo Post: Malaysian Environmental Education Conference ends successfully in Sandakan
POSTED ON OCTOBER 16, 2024, WEDNESDAY AT 6:16 PM
Dr Arthur Chung receiving a souvenir from the organizer, Bernadette Joeman, together with other agency representatives on stage.
SANDAKAN (Oct 16): The Fourth Malaysian Environmental Education Conference (MyEEConference) 2024, held from October 14 to 16 at the Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC) in Sepilok, Sandakan, concluded with resounding success, marking a pivotal moment in the advancement of environmental education in Malaysia.
The conference provided invaluable networking opportunities, enabling participants to connect and collaborate on environmental initiatives. It served as a sharing platform from the government sector and non-governmental agencies and students in understanding environmental education.
Organized by the Sabah Forestry Department in collaboration with the Sabah Environmental Education Network (SEEN) and the World Wide Fund (WWF) Malaysia, the conference brought together some 160 participants from various sectors, including government agencies, NGOs, private sector, higher learning institutions and schools.
This year’s event showcased significant progress in environmental education from 2020 to 2024, providing a dynamic platform for sharing insights and fostering collaboration.
The conference commenced with a keynote talk delivered by Dr Noor Azlin, President of the Malaysian Parks, Amenity and Recreation Management Society (MyParks) in Selangor, setting the tone for the discussions on environmental education.
Throughout the conference, participants engaged in 21 oral presentations that aligned with these themes.
The presentations featured experts from various countries and states: five speakers from Peninsular Malaysia, one speaker from Sarawak, 11 speakers from Sabah, one speaker from Brunei, two speakers from Indonesia, and one speaker from Japan. Besides presentations, there were also workshops and exhibitions from various relevant agencies, showcasing innovative environmental education projects, initiatives and biodiversity.
The participants also engaged in enriching field trips that included Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, SJK(C) Tai Tong and the Sandakan Heritage Trail.
“The connections made among us these past few days have strengthened our determination to protect our environment. This conference was not just about attending sessions or listening to speakers – it was about building a community of people who care deeply about the future of our country’s natural environment.” – as highlighted by Datuk Frederick Kugan, Chief Conservator of Forests, Sabah Forestry Department in his closing speech delivered by his Deputy (R&D), Dr Arthur Chung.
4th My EE Conference 2024
Our Environmental Education Unit took part in the 4th My EE Conference from October 14th to 16th, 2024, at the Rainforest Discovery Centre in Sepilok, Sandakan.
The conference offered priceless networking opportunities, allowing participants to connect and collaborate on environmental initiatives. It acted as a platform for sharing insights among government representatives, non-governmental organizations, teachers, students, and practitioners, enhancing their understanding of environmental education.
We felt truly blessed to participate in this educational conference, immersed in the presence of inspiring individuals and invaluable learning experiences.
https://www.theborneopost.com/2024/10/16/malaysian-environmental-education-conference-ends-successfully-in-sandakan/?fbclid=IwY2xjawF-obFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHXvxKkGmq30Zp7SqtQpDGDwoVSv7yG5SD3I8Cw3JAjS9LX6FRkRycy0B4w_aem_0ouTPcfAkZAK13uPglHmXQ
EP.55 熊爸雨林(上集) feat. 黃修德 aka 馬來熊保育中心熊爸爸
感恩台灣國立自然科學博物館安排我做這麼生動的博客採訪，讓更多的人員認識馬來熊和波羅洲馬來熊保育中心！謝謝啦！
Many thanks to Taiwan 國立自然科學博物館 National Museum of Natural Science for this wonderdul podcast! Hope more and more people across the world will learn about the sun bears!
My Bear Adoption Programme (BEST SOCIETY/BORNEO ECO TOURS)
On 14th October 2024, BEST Society and Borneo Eco Tours held a cheque presentation ceremony to support the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) through a bear adoption program. The event took place at Borneo Eco Tours Headquarters, Kota Kinabalu aimed at raising funds and awareness for sun bear conservation efforts.
During the event, Mr. Albert Teo, Founder of BEST Society, welcomed the audience. Dr.Wong Siew Te shared his insights into the ongoing efforts at the BSBCC, and the significance of public support for the center’s operations. A mock cheque of RM 7,200.00 was presented to Dr. Wong Siew Te by Mr. Albert Teo and Mr. Timothy Teo, symbolizing the financial contribution towards the bear adoption program.
Following the cheque presentation, a group photo was taken to commemorate the event and the partnership between Borneo Eco Tours, BEST Society, and the BSBCC. This event not only contributed funds for the adoption of sun bears but also raised awareness about the need for sustained efforts to protect one of Malaysia’s unique and endangered species. The collaboration between BEST Society, Borneo Eco Tours, and the BSBCC underlines the importance of collective action in conservation.
Make a difference today by adopting a sun bear! Your support helps provide food, care, and a safe home for one of the world’s smallest and most endangered bears. Together, we can protect the Bornean sun bear and ensure its future.
Whether you’re an individual or a company, your adoption will help fund vital conservation efforts. Explore our website (https://www.bsbcc.org.my/) or come by our Centre to discover how you can help adopt and support a sun bear on its journey to a better life!
Schools visit from Tabika KEMAS Kota Kinabatangan & SK(C) Cheng Min
A sunshine-filled thank you to Tabika KEMAS Kota Kinabatangan and SK(C) Cheng Min for visiting us today! We hope they had a blast and learned some fun facts about our adorable Sun Bears!
Veterinary Insights: Eye and Heart Examination of Bornean Sun Bears
The sun bear is the least studied bear species globally, with many aspects of their medical baseline data still unknown. Their distinct differences from domestic species, such as dogs, make their care and study particularly fascinating.
Last week, we completed a notable project involving electroretinography (ERG) and echocardiography for sun bears. This work was part of the health assessment focusing on the eyes and heart, especially for seven older sun bears who may have age-related pathologies.
Echocardiography, or an echo test, employs ultrasound waves to create detailed images of the heart. This method assesses the heart's structure and function, identifies abnormalities, and monitors overall heart health. Older animals, particularly captive wildlife, heart diseases are often underdiagnosed. We are pleased to report that none of the bears we examined showed signs of heart disease.
ERG is a diagnostic test that evaluates the electrical responses of the eye’s light-sensitive cells—rods and cones—to light stimuli. This test is crucial for diagnosing retinal functionality, particularly in cases of chronic cataractous eyes.
We are grateful to the many local specialists who support BSBCC in our wildlife health initiatives. Dr. Nadzariah Cheng (Animed Veterinary Centre), Dr. Anthony Leong, Dr. Chiang and his ophthalmology team (Hospital Duchess of Kent) are generously share their expertise in caring for the sun bears. We are also thankful to Mindray and Dr. Jessie Ho (Jesselton Animal Clinic) for lending us their ultrasound equipment and Vcheck Analyzer, which were instrumental in making this health assessment feasible.
Kudos to everyone involved in this important work for the health of the bears!Each piece of knowledge gained from these examinations enhances our baseline data, aiding in the broader conservation and healthcare of this amazing species.
Sun bear Tenom update from Tabin Wildlife Reserve
An update from Camp Tenom. It has been 8 months now Tenom the sun bear cub live in this forest home. Day time our staff -Jude, Julamin, Rizal, Jimin, and Mizuno, all take turns to walk her in the forest until late afternoon. She is doing really and relatively easy to “walk” in the forest. All of the hard work we have been doing on the ground is not possible without the generous helps from our funders and supporters across the world. Special thanks to Sime Darby Foundation, Hasanah Foundation, Planet Wild, Hertfordshire Zoo, Sabah Wildlife Department, Sabah Forestry Department and our field team to make this project possible! Thank you all!
The July/August 2024 edition of The Sun Bear Voice is now accessible online!
Keep up with the latest news from BSBCC by exploring our bimonthly newsletter, The Sun Bear Voice. You can access the newsletter in PDF format here.
Outreach to SK Balaban Jaya and ALC Ladang Sijas, Beluran
First and foremost, we would love to thank KLK Sawit Nusantara Berhad for inviting us to an outreach programme at SK Balaban Jaya and ALC Sijas in the district of Beluran. This programme with the cooperation of Sabah Wildlife Department is a continuation of the previous programme at SK Ulu Ansuan and ALC Ladang Meliau to expose the students in primary schools and the estate educational institutes on the palm oil industry in Sabah, the conservation of wildlife, plus to instill love and to correct the prevalent negative perception toward wildlife.
The whole programme’s activities were done according to the level of the attending students, for the upper primary, they attended talks from the KLK Sawit Nusantara, Sabah Wildlife Department and BSBCC whilst the younger students attended interactive activities such as wildlife mask coloring, in which preceded with brief explanation to each wildlife featured as masks to the students. After they finished their activities, they were allowed to visit our exhibition booths and yes, these adorable kids filled with curiousity and enthusiasm is one of the reasons why we here really love doing educational programme to schools. Of course, this kind of programme involves LOTS OF TALKINGS to the young ones and can be very exhausting (for our vocal cords, to be exact), but in the end of the programme, it was really a satisfying moment for us to do all these works.
To the organisers and our partners, till we meet again in the next programme in the future!
