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!