Pusat Konservasi Beruang Matahari Borneo, Sepilok Catat Lebih 246,000 Pelawat Pada 2025
Published by: Sabah News
Published on: Tuesday, January 12, 2026
By: Adib Safwan
Retrieved on: Wednesday, January 14, 2026
SANDAKAN: Pusat Konservasi Beruang Matahari Borneo (BSBCC) dan Pusat Pemulihan Orangutan Sepilok terus mencatat peningkatan jumlah pelawat apabila merekodkan lebih 246,000 kunjungan sepanjang tahun 2025.
Menteri Pelancongan, Kebudayaan dan Alam Sekitar Sabah, Datuk Jafry Ariffin berkata, BSBCC menerima seramai 90,760 pelawat tempatan dan antarabangsa tahun lalu, menjadikannya satu-satunya pusat di dunia yang membolehkan pengunjung melihat beruang matahari dalam habitat hutan semula jadi.
Beliau yakin jumlah itu akan terus meningkat selaras dengan kempen Tahun Melawat Malaysia 2026, selain pemilihan beruang matahari sebagai maskot rasmi negara yang dijangka menarik lebih ramai pelancong.
“Sementara itu, Pusat Pemulihan Orangutan Sepilok merekodkan sebanyak 155,406 kemasukan pelawat pada 2025, sekali gus mengukuhkan kedudukannya sebagai antara tarikan ekopelancongan utama Sabah dan pemacu kehadiran pelancong antarabangsa ke negeri ini,” katanya.
Beliau berkata demikian sempena Majlis Pelancaran Foyer Baharu BSBCC, Pusat Informasi baharu Pusat Pemulihan Orangutan Sepilok serta penaiktarafan Boardwalk Sepilok di sini, hari ini.
Menurutnya, peningkatan kemudahan tersebut akan memberi pengalaman lebih selesa kepada pengunjung selain menyokong usaha pemuliharaan hidupan liar dan pembangunan ekonomi setempat.
“Usaha bersepadu antara sektor pelancongan dan pemuliharaan mampu memastikan kelestarian alam sekitar terus terpelihara sambil menjana manfaat jangka panjang kepada komuniti tempatan,” tambahnya.
“提供更便利生态旅游体验，婆罗洲马来熊和人猿保育中心设施升级”—— 星洲网，2026年1月13日
Published by: Berita Harian Merdeka
Published on: Monday, January 12, 2026
By: N/A
Retrieved on: Wednesday, January 14, 2026
New foyer attraction at Sun Bear Centre
Published by: Daily Express
Published on: Tuesday, January 13, 2026
By: Mardinah Jikur
Retrieved on: Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Jafry, Wong and others looking at Noah, the sun bear, from the platform.
SANDAKAN: The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) Sandakan officially launched its newly-completed entrance foyer at its centre in Sepilok, Mile 14, here, Monday.
It was launched by Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment (KePKAS), Datuk Jafry Ariffin.
Jafry said BSBCC plays a big role to protect wildlife such as the Bornean sun bear as well as nurture wildlife.
He commended founder and Chief Executive Officer of BSBCC, Dr Wong Siew Te, and team and the support from Motac, KePKAS, other agencies and non-governmental organisations.
Foyer baharu BSBCC Sandakan siap dibina
Terbitan Oleh: Harian Ekspres
Terbitan Pada: Monday, January 12, 2026
Oleh: Mardinah Jikur
Diambil pada (Atas talian): Wednesday, January 14, 2026
JAFRY bersama tetamu lain bergambar kenangan di salah satu lokasi ikonik dan tumpuan pengunjung.
SANDAKAN: Pusat Pemuliharaan Beruang Madu Borneo (BSBCC) Sandakan secara rasmi melancarkan foyer pintu masuk baharu yang siap dibina di Sepilok, Batu 14 pada Isnin.
Menteri Pelancongan, Kebudayaan dan Alam Sekitar Sabah Datuk Jafry Ariffin berkata BSBCC memainkan peranan penting dalam melindungi hidupan liar seperti beruang madu Borneo selain memupuk kesedaran pemuliharaan alam sekitar.
Beliau memuji pengasas merangkap Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif (CEO) BSBCC Dr Wong Siew Te bersama pasukanya selain sokongan berterusan daripada Kementerian Pelancongan, Seni dan Budaya (Motac), Pelancongan, Kebudayaan dan Alam Sekitar Sabah (KePKAS), agensi berkaitan dan pertubuhan bukan kerajaan (NGO).
“Kementerianya akan terus memastikan pembangunan pelancongan bergerak seiring dengan usaha pemuliharaan alam sekitar.
“Melalui agensi di bawahnya termasuk Jabatan Hidupan Liar Sabah dan Taman-Taman Sabah, KePKAS kekal komited melindungi biodiversiti, hutan dan ekosistem semula jadi demi manfaat jangka panjang komuniti, pemegang taruh dan generasi akan datang,” katanya ketika menyempurnakan majlis pelancaran foyer pintu masuk baharu BSBCC Sandakan.
“啥哈努丁：以生态保育为核心。全面迎接2026大马旅游年”—— <自由日报>，2026年1月13日
Published by: Berita Harian Merdeka
Published on: Monday, January 12, 2026
By: N/A
Retrieved on: Wednesday, January 14, 2026
“啥哈努丁：以生态保育为核心。全面迎接2026大马旅游年”—— <自由日报>，2026年1月13日
Sabah’s tourism, conservation efforts ensure long-term benefits, says Jafry
Published by: The Star
Published on: Monday, January 12, 2026
By: Muguntan Vanar
Retrieved on: Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin (fourth from right) at the launching of the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre’s new Entrance Foyer in Sepilok, Sandakan.
SANDAKAN: Sabah’s tourism and conservation must complement each other to deliver long-term benefits, says state Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin.
“This is the way forward where tourism and conservation work hand in hand, complementing one another and delivering long-term benefits to a wide range of stakeholders,” said Jafry at the launching of new facilities at two of Sabah’s wildlife centres in Sepilok near here on Monday (Jan 12).
He said his ministry played a key role in balancing tourism growth with environmental protection and measures supported by agencies such as the Sabah Wildlife Department and Sabah Parks, as well as NGOs, research institutions, and community partners.
“Through these strong partnerships, Sabah is able to promote ecotourism and generate sustainable livelihoods for local communities while ensuring the long-term protection of our unique natural heritage,” Jafry said.
Jafry was speaking at the event to mark the opening of the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre’s new entrance foyer and the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre’s upgraded information centre and boardwalk, adjacent to the Rainforest Discovery Centre.
Jafry said that the Sun Bear Conservation Centre has evolved into the world’s only facility where visitors can observe sun bears in their natural forest setting.
“The centre welcomed 90,760 visitors in 2025, a number expected to rise with the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign and the adoption of sun bears as official mascots.
“We all should thank the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry for its foresight in choosing sun bears as the official mascots, further strengthening awareness and support for sun bear conservation,” he added.
On the upgrading of the facilities at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, he said it was the world’s first centre dedicated to orphaned and rescued orangutans.
“The centre recorded 155,406 visitors last year, underscoring its global significance.
New Facilities at Bornean Sun Bear and Sepilok Orangutan Centres launched
Published by: Nabalu News
Published on: Monday, January 12, 2026
By: N/A
Retrieved on: Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Jafry (fourth right) with distinguished guests during a photo call at the launch ceremony.
SANDAKAN: In a strong move to boost ecotourism and conservation efforts, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Jafry Ariffin today formally launched the new Entrance Foyer at the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, alongside the upgraded Information Centre and improved Sepilok Boardwalk at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre.
Driving Sabah’s tourism and conservation agenda forward, Jafry highlighted the strategic significance of these centres, which are now better equipped to offer visitors an immersive experience of Sabah’s rich natural heritage and stimulate the local economy. He underscored the government’s proactive approach in transforming these key ecotourism sites into world-class attractions.
He celebrated the remarkable growth of the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, which has evolved from a simple rehabilitation facility into the world’s only centre where visitors can observe sun bears in their natural forest habitat. With 90,760 visitors in 2025, the centre is already a major draw, and with Sun Bears designated as the official mascots for Visit Malaysia 2026, the Minister announced plans to intensify promotional efforts to attract even more visitors and raise awareness about sun bear conservation.
At the same time, Datuk Jafry spotlighted the upgrades at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, the pioneering facility dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating orphaned orangutans. The centre’s record of 155,406 visitors in 2025 demonstrates its vital role in international tourism. The enhancements are designed to further strengthen its capacity to educate and engage global audiences, ensuring Sabah remains a leading ecotourism destination.
The Minister called on all stakeholders, government agencies, NGOs, research bodies, and local communities, to continue collaborating actively in promoting sustainable ecotourism that benefits both conservation and local livelihoods. He reaffirmed Sabah’s commitment to taking bold steps that integrate tourism growth with environmental preservation.
Concluding his speech, Datuk Jafry expressed confidence that these new facilities and ongoing initiatives will propel Sabah’s conservation and tourism sectors into a new era of sustainable development, fostering a future where economic prosperity and natural preservation go hand in hand.
New, upgraded facilities at BSBCC, Sepilok to strengthen Sabah’s ecotourism and conservation
Published by: The Borneo Post
Published on: Monday, January 12, 2026
By: Nancy Lai
Retrieved on: Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Jafry (fourth right) with distinguished guests during a photo call at the launch ceremony.
SANDAKAN (Jan 12): The launch of new and upgraded facilities at the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) and the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre marks a significant step forward in strengthening Sabah’s ecotourism offerings while reinforcing conservation efforts, said Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Jafry Ariffin.
Speaking at the launch of the BSBCC’s new entrance foyer, the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre’s information centre and the upgraded Sepilok boardwalk, Jafry said the strategic clustering of the two centres together with the nearby Rainforest Discovery Centre provides visitors with a seamless and enriching nature-based experience.
“The strategic location of both centres, together with the nearby Rainforest Discovery Centre within the Sepilok vicinity, offers visitors a convenient and enriching experience to explore our natural heritage, while at the same time contributing positively to the local economy,” he said.
Jafry noted the remarkable progress of the BSBCC, which has evolved from a rehabilitation facility into the only place in the world where visitors can observe sun bears in their natural forest habitat.
He said the centre welcomed 90,760 local and international visitors in 2025, reflecting growing global interest.
As the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign gets underway, with the sun bear chosen as the official mascot, Jafry expressed confidence that visitor numbers will continue to rise.
“In this regard, we should thank the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac) for its foresight in choosing sun bears as the official mascots, further strengthening awareness and support for sun bear conservation,” he said.
He also welcomed the upgrading works at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, describing it as a globally significant institution and a major draw for international tourists to Sabah.
Established as the world’s first centre dedicated to rehabilitating orphaned and rescued orangutans, the centre recorded 155,406 visitor entries in 2025.
“This clearly demonstrates its global significance and underscores why these enhancements are well deserved, enabling the centre to continue raising international awareness and providing meaningful experiences for visitors from around the world about this iconic orangutan species,” he said.
Jafry stressed that the upgrades reflect Sabah’s broader vision of ensuring tourism and conservation go hand in hand.
“This is the way forward, where tourism and conservation work hand in hand, complementing one another and delivering long-term benefits to a wide range of stakeholders,” he said.
He added that the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment play a key role in promoting Sabah’s tourism sector while prioritising environmental conservation through agencies such as the Sabah Wildlife Department and Sabah Parks, with strong support from non-governmental organisations, research institutions and community partners.
“These strong partnerships enable Sabah to promote ecotourism that not only enhances tourist experiences, but also generates sustainable livelihoods for local communities while ensuring the long-term protection of our unique natural heritage,” he said.
Congratulating both centres, Jafry said he looked forward to seeing the new facilities further strengthen conservation, tourism and community development in Sabah in the years ahead.
Among those present during the event were Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture secretary-general Datuk Shaharuddin Abu Sohot, Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry permanent secretary Datuk Josie Lai, Sabah Forestry Department chief conservator of forests Datuk Frederick Kugan, Sandakan Municipal Council president Walter Kenson, Sabah Wildlife Department director Mohd Soffian Abu Bakar, Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre founder and chief executive officer Dr Wong Siew Te.
VM2026 set to shine light on sun bear conservation in Sandakan
Published by: Daily Express
Published on: Monday, January 12, 2026
By: Ricardo Unto
Retrieved on: Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Jafry and other officials at the launch ceremony.
SANDAKAN: The Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign and the selection of sun bears as the official mascots are expected to drive greater interest in the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, said Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin at the launch of the Centre's new and upgraded facilities on Monday.
Jafry said the new entrance foyer at the Centre, together with enhancements at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and the nearby Rainforest Discovery Centre, offers visitors a more seamless and rewarding way to experience Sabah’s natural heritage while supporting the local economy.
He described the Sun Bear Conservation Centre’s growth as remarkable, noting that it is now the only place in the world where visitors can observe sun bears in a natural forest environment.
“The Centre welcomed 90,760 local and international visitors in 2025, and with Visit Malaysia 2026 and the choice of sun bears as the official mascots, I am confident interest will continue to grow,” Jafry said.
He also expressed appreciation to the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (Motac) for selecting the sun bear as a mascot, saying the move would strengthen public awareness and support for conservation efforts.
On Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, Jafry said the upgraded information centre and boardwalk were timely improvements for a site that remains one of Sabah’s strongest international tourism draws.
“The Centre recorded 155,406 visitors in 2025, reflecting its global significance and the importance of continued investment to raise awareness of this iconic species,” he said.
Jafry said Sabah’s tourism strategy would continue to balance conservation and economic benefits through close cooperation with agencies such as the Sabah Wildlife Department and Sabah Parks, as well as non-governmental organisations and community partners.
New Entrance Foyer Launching Ceremony
On 12 January 2025, a meaningful launching ceremony was held at the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC), marking the official opening of the BSBCC Entrance Foyer, alongside the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre’s Information Centre and the Sepilok Boardwalk.
The ceremony began with a welcoming speech by our Founder and CEO, Dr Wong Siew Te, followed by addresses from Tuan Mohd Soffian bin Abu Bakar, Director of the Sabah Wildlife Department; Datuk Frederick Kugan, Chief Conservator of Forests; and Dato’ Shaharuddin bin Abu Sohot, Secretary General of MOTAC. The event was officiated by Datuk Jafry bin Hj Ariffin, Minister of KEPKAS, and Datuk Josie Lai, Permanent Secretary of KEPKAS also attending the cerecomony.
The celebration concluded with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new entrance foyer, followed by the official launch of the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre’s Information Centre and the Sepilok Boardwalk. Our distinguished guests then toured the observation platforms to observe the sun bears before gathering for lunch at the entrance foyer.
The newly launched entrance foyer greatly enhances the Centre’s visibility and accessibility, offering a more welcoming experience for both local and international visitors. This achievement was made possible through the strong cooperation and shared vision of all parties involved.
These collective efforts reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that conservation and tourism grow hand in hand, in line with the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign, made even more special as the official mascots are our very own sun bears, Wira and Manja!
New Year Speech from the Founder and CEO of Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre.
Happy New Year, everyone!
Our world has experienced turmoil over the past year, from escalating conflicts in regions like Gaza and Ukraine to political instability and extreme weather events. Thankfully, here at the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC), 2025 was a rather peaceful and encouraging year. This is all thanks to your belief, support, and the hard work on the ground that makes BSBCC a global hub for sun bear conservation.
More than a year ago, Tourism Malaysia launched the "Visit Malaysia Year 2026" campaign to promote our country across Europe, Australia, the Americas, and Asia. I am thrilled that a pair of cartoon sun bears, Wira and Manja, were chosen as the mascots for this campaign. For the first time in history, sun bears are being recognized as representatives of Malaysia's incredible biodiversity! Local people and foreigners alike are, for the first time, learning about this little and charismatic bear species called the sun bear. The artist who created Wira and Manja did a fantastic job designing such eye-catching mascots, which we hope will attract tourists from across the world to Malaysia, Sabah, and Sandakan. As we officially enter 2026, I hope this will be the Year of the Sun Bear! May they be recognized, seen, cared for, helped, and saved.
2025 was a productive year for BSBCC. We welcomed 90,760 visitors, 65,315 of whom were foreign tourists—surpassing our previous record from 2019. High visitor numbers not only generate essential revenue for our conservation programs but also boost the local economy, improve livelihoods through nature-based tourism, and help reduce wildlife poaching. Beyond public visits, our Environmental Education Unit was busy hosting 76 school group visits (from kindergartens to universities) involving 3,223 students, and conducting 15 outreach programs, 14 roadshows, and various exhibitions.
When you visit BSBCC this year, you will notice several facility upgrades:
• First, a brand-new entrance gateway and foyer to welcome you to the world of the smallest bears. Our sincere thanks to the Malaysia Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) and Sabah's Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment (KePKAS) for co-funding this project.
• Second, we have expanded and repaired fences in bear enclosures Pen B, C, and D, replacing damaged forty-year-old iron-wood structures with chain-link fencing to improve both safety and visitor experience.
• We've also collaborated with talented local artist Woon Bing Chang to create beautiful, informative signboards that tell the stories of our sun bears and forest ecology throughout the centre.
The Tabin Sun Bear Project enters its third year! The two sun bear cubs, Tenom and Pitang, in our soft-release rehabilitation program are growing fast. Tenom, now a three-year-old juvenile, is becoming increasingly independent, and we expect her to live fully independently from her human-surrogate mother's care this year. While this program progresses well thanks to our dedicated field crew and generous funders, we also experienced a profound loss. Our 13th hard-released bear, Itam, released on March 10, 2025, was found deceased in May, likely due to injuries from a tree fall. Currently, BSBCC is a lifelong home for 41 non-releasable rescued sun bears. We are committed to their care, as they serve as vital ambassadors for their species and subjects for our research.
The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre turns 18 this year. I recall clearly how my team and I built this centre from scratch. We deliver on our commitment to conserve sun bears through holistic, pragmatic approaches, made possible only by your belief and support. While I may have founded BSBCC, I did not do this work alone. I am profoundly thankful to all our present and past staff, volunteers, interns, construction workers, generous supporters, funders, visitors, tour operators, guides, and partners like the Sabah Wildlife Department, Sabah Forestry Department, and LEAP.
Our work is far from finished. I believe 2026 marks a powerful new beginning. With Wira and Manja as mascots for Visit Malaysia Year 2026, we hope to welcome more nature-loving visitors to our centre and other rural, nature-based destinations. Their presence creates jobs, improves local livelihoods, and builds a community incentive to protect wildlife and nature—sun bears included.
Beyond continuing our core pillars—animal welfare, education, research, rehabilitation, ecotourism, community conservation, anti-poaching, and mitigating human-bear conflict—we will actively support the Sun Bear Action Plan for Sabah, launched by the Sabah Wildlife Department last March. We will also raise funds for critical facility upgrades, including a 3rd Observation Platform, a new Interpretation Gallery and Office Building, and the construction of a Tabin Sun Bear Project Field Office and staff house.
We have come a long way, but our journey is not over. As a wildlife biologist, my ultimate vision is to see sun bears thriving in the forest, not in captivity—not even at BSBCC. Achieving zero poaching, zero wildlife trafficking, and zero pet-keeping is urgent work; we cannot afford for the sun bear to follow the tragic path of the Sumatran rhino, declared extinct in Malaysia in 2019.
You have helped us come this far. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I hope your vital support will continue this year. Everyone can play a role in wildlife conservation if they wish. As the late Dr. Jane Goodall used to say, “Together we can, together we must, and together we will.” Let us save wildlife, and save sun bears.
Happy New Year once more! May each day of 2026 bring you a new reason to smile and be thankful. The best year is yet to come.
Warmly,
Dr (Hon.) Wong Siew Te, D.J.N.
Founder & CEO
Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre