Bears, Bonds and a Journey I’ll Never Forget
Text by Ella Raine Broach (APE Malaysia Volunteer)
My name is Ella Broach and I am an undergraduate student at Oregon State University. I aspire to work in conservation and am getting my degree in Zoology! When I first came to the centre, I was very eager to learn about sun bears and to witness conservation practices in action.
I knew little about them before coming here, and wow my knowledge expanded in more ways than just one! At the centre, I mainly worked on animal husbandry consisting of cleaning enclosures, prepping food/feeding, doing security fence checks, and building enrichment items for the bears. I always knew that running a place like this required hard work and dedication, but being part of the team and learning from mentors who are so passionate and selfless, gave me a much deeper appreciation for the effort, care, and commitment that true conservation work demands.
Working long hours doing many different tasks such as cleaning, prepping food, and even trekking through the forest during my time here gave me a true glimpse into daily life at a conservation centre, and I loved every moment of it. I got to assist in a medical checkup for one of the bears, Om, where I checked his vitals and saw him up close, which I thought was incredible! I also visited a local school to share about sun bears, and one of the students even drew a picture of me that I can’t wait to frame when I return to the States. This journey opened my eyes and fueled my excitement to turn my passion for animals into a lifelong career in conservation.
Beyond the work itself, the community at BSBCC felt like a family. Everyone was so kind, welcoming, and filled with passion for the sun bears that it was impossible not to feel inspired. The bear keepers’ patience and understanding made every lesson meaningful, and their dedication left a lasting impression on me. Working alongside such caring, driven people was one of the most special parts of my experience, and I feel truly grateful to have shared this time and built such genuine connections with everyone here.
I loved being able to see Romolina climb the trees or watching Simone splash in her water bowl! During the two weeks of being here, I was able to expand my knowledge on sun bears while opening a new door for understanding the complexities and challenges of wildlife conservation. Some of the days the staff would give us presentations on different topics such as sun bear enrichment and welfare, and conservation efforts of the centre. I learned what it means to persevere in this field through Dr. Wong Siew Te, the bear keepers, and this centre story.
Getting to spend time with these amazing bears and discovering each of their quirky, unique personalities was such a special experience for me as someone who has always loved bears.
Additionally, I learned about what it takes to care for the many bears this centre has, while empowering people through education and awareness on wildlife conservation. From this experience I am taking away a greater appreciation for Borneo’s wildlife and the people who live here. This experience is something I will take with me for the rest of my life, and is one of my first steps towards working in the conservation field.
I hope to visit again soon, I already miss it!
One of my favorite memories at the centre was coming up with an enrichment idea and building it with my bear keeper buddy. We hung different ropes from a hammock with many pieces of wood and fire hose with hidden treats and food. Watching Ronnie Boy, the bear I gave it to, explore and interact with the enrichment was extremely fulfilling, and knowing that this was a team effort was definitely rewarding!
Ronnie Boy’s happy hammock just got a fun upgrade! And of course, he’s looking extra handsome while enjoying his favorite spot.
A Hopeful School Visit; Sharing sun bear stories today, with a heart full of hope that these lessons will shape tomorrow’s conservation heroes!
World Elephant Day at Tongod, Sabah
On the 18th September 2025, BSBCC was invited to the World Elephant Day celebration at Tongod, Sabah. The celebration was to recognise the need to conserve the gentle giant and the hard works done by the community rangers from several area in Sabah to ensure community members can live harmoniously with the elephants. Several other NGOs, government agencies and departments also present at the celebration, making the event livelier and providing good opportunity to engage more people on wildlife conservation.
Thanks to the organisers: Sabah Wildlife Department and Earthworm Foundation for the invitation. We are looking forward to cooperate in any future events or programmes.
Heartfelt Thanks to Vision School Sandakan
Thank you primary 3 students of Vision School Sandakan for adopting our bears Joe, Kala, Kipaku, Mary, Fulung and Betung. Thanks for your hard work to help us raise funds and support the care and rehabilitation of the sun bears at the Centre.
Itam’s Mortality Story
With heavy hearts, we share the loss of Itam, a 5-year-old female sun bear who was released into Tabin Wildlife Reserve on 10 March 2025 as part of BSBCC’s 13th hard release program.
Itam’s journey began in 2020 when she was rescued as a vulnerable cub from an orchard in Nabawan. Shy, cautious, and fiercely alert, she spent five years under our care - learning to forage, climb, and reclaim her wild instincts. Her forest skills made her a strong candidate for release.
After her release, Itam remained close to the mud volcano, exploring her new home, and slowly wandering further away from her release site. Tragically, on 29 April, we received a mortality signal from her tracking collar. A search team later recovered her collar and skeletal remains beneath a tree, suggesting a fatal fall. Forensic findings point to trauma in her pelvic and spinal regions, though other factors - like competition, food scarcity, or survival challenges - cannot be ruled out.
While this outcome is deeply saddening, Itam’s story is not one of failure. It is a testament to the complexity of rewilding and the courage of a bear who tried. Her life and loss will guide us in refining our rehabilitation and release strategies, ensuring future bears have an even better chance at thriving in the wild.
To the keepers who nurtured her, the field teams who searched for her, and the partners who supported this mission, we would like to say thank you for all your support. And to Itam - may the forest remember your footsteps, however brief they were.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧 𝐈𝐭𝐚𝐦
Even in her earliest days, she showed signs of her wild instincts always alert to her surroundings, quick to retreat when uncertain, and never seeking to be the center of attention. Her cautious and observant nature made her different, showing that even from the start, she carried the instincts of a true forest bear
𝐀 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭-𝐁𝐨𝐫𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐭
As she grew older in rehabilitation, those early instincts only became stronger. Itam often chose to sleep high in the trees, a place where she felt safest, and preferred to remain hidden from human eyes. Keepers rarely saw more than a glimpse of her
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐈𝐭𝐚𝐦
According to her movement patterns, Itam grew comfortable around her release site. As a curious and newly free bear, she ventured further into unfamiliar territory, but due to unknown circumstances, she did not make it. The team responded immediately to the mortality signal, pushing through rivers, rugged terrain, and dense forest until they managed to locate her collar. Though the search ended in loss, it stands as a reminder of the challenges of survival in the wild and the dedication poured into every life we return to the forest.
Although Itam’s life ended earlier than we had hoped, her story reflecting of the difficult and often fragile existence of sun bears in the wild. Beyond natural dangers, sun bears continue to face human threats such as poaching, deforestation, and the illegal pet trade. Each loss underscores why it is so important to protect their habitats, stop wildlife trafficking, and respect sun bears as wild animals who belong in the forest not in cages or as pets.
Her story calls on us, it is within our power to change that.
Tabika KEMAS Karamunting Visit
Little explorers from Tabika KEMAS Karamunting brightened up our Centre today! Thank you for coming and learning about sun bears with us!
BSBCC 42nd Board Meeting
The very first Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre’s Board Meeting was held on 15 December 2008 in the Belian Meeting Room at the Sabah Forestry Department Headquarters in Sandakan. At that time, the meeting report was just 2 pages long, and I was officially named the CEO of the centre during that meeting. Seventeen years later, we are holding our 42nd Board Meeting in this very same room, and the meeting report is 50 pages! We have come a long way!
We are so grateful to the founding board members of BSBCC: Datuk Fred Kugan, the Chief Forest Conservator of Sabah Forestry Department; Tuan Augustine Tuuga, the former Director of Sabah Wildlife Department; and Ms. Cynthia Ong, the Chief Executive Facilitator of LEAP. Without them, BSBCC would not exist.
Today’s Board Meeting was chaired by Datuk Fred Kugan and attended by Dr. Nabila Sarkawi (representing the Sabah Wildlife Department), Ms. Winnie Long (CEO of LEAP), and the BSBCC management team: Audrey, Fairo, Gloria, Ina, Jacq, Yeuri, Mizuno, and the founder Dr. Wong Siew Te.
We hope BSBCC will achieve its goals to conserve sun bears through holistic and pragmatic approaches.
Federal Secretary Office of Sabah visiting BSBCC
We are honoured to welcome the Federal Secretary Office of Sabah to BSBCC!
Our CEO and Founder, Dr. Wong Siew Te, shared insights on the journey of sun bear conservation, the power of public awareness, and why protecting our natural environment matters for all.
Wildlife Conservation Education and Awareness Programme to three schools: SK Imbak, SK Maliau, and SK Kironggu in Telupid district
From 2–4 September 2025, our education team brought the Wildlife Conservation Education and Awareness Programme to three schools: SK Imbak, SK Maliau, and SK Kironggu in Telupid district. Together with our amazing partners: Sabah Wildlife Department, Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, Orangutan Appeal UK, and Seratu Aatai, we inspired students through exciting activities including talks, mini games, video showings, quizzes, colouring contests, and exhibitions.
The highlight? A surprise appearance by Sunny the Sun Bear mascot, which filled the room with laughter and excitement! The energy and curiosity from the students were truly inspiring.
A heartfelt thank you to the schools for the warm welcome and support, and to our kind supporters, Alina Rastam and her sister, for generously providing stationery gifts that brightened the students’ day.
𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝’𝐬 𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐫
Text by Jennifer Mack (APE Malaysia Volunteer)
I had the incredible opportunity to volunteer at the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, an experience that brought me closer to wildlife conservation than I ever imagined!
Entering the final year of my undergraduate degree in conservation biology, I was eager to gain hands-on experience with an animal I love, in a unique and inspiring environment. This centre offered exactly that and more, giving me a fresh perspective on conservation.
Hearing the bears’ stories and witnessing firsthand the dedication and care that goes into their well-being was truly special. I never expected to become so attached to the bears, but leaving them was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. Every mornings, the first thing I did was visit Fulung, my favorite bear, and just seeing him would make my day
Reflecting on my future after graduation, this experience has strengthened my desire to continue research and contribute to the conservation of this remarkable species. At first, I was nervous about traveling all the way from the United States to Sabah, but now I’m already looking forward to returning and I can’t wait to see all the amazing work Dr. Wong Siew Te and the centre will continue to accomplish!
Enrichment isn’t always on the ground sometimes it’s hanging above! This keeps sun bears active, curious, and using their natural climbing skills
I am making the Ice Blocks Enrichment. Nothing beats the heat like Ice Block Day! Frozen fun for furry friends!