𝐀 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

Text by Sylvia Peggy Lim (UPM Internship Student)

I chose to do my internship at BSBCC because I wanted an experience rooted in Sabah, where we are so fortunate to have incredible wildlife. Many of my seniors and friends who had volunteered here before spoke highly of the programme, and their enthusiasm inspired me to come.

My most memorable moments were simply watching the bears be themselves—each with their own unique quirks and personalities as they foraged, climbed, playfully wrestled, or curled up for a nap. I would often catch myself pausing in the middle of a task just to observe them, completely absorbed by their natural behaviors. Seeing them so relaxed and at ease always filled me with a quiet sense of joy and awe, reminding me how special it was to witness these moments up close.

The daily routine was physically tiring at first, but working alongside a dedicated team and learning to pace myself made it both manageable and rewarding. In the end, every effort was for the bears, which made it all worthwhile.

Through the guidance of the staff, I learned how much detail goes into caring for rescued bears: their diet, enrichment, health needs, and the patience required to prepare them for release. I also got to hear the individual rescue stories behind each bear and understand their unique personalities, which made the work even more meaningful.

These two weeks reminded me why I chose veterinary medicine—to contribute to conservation and speak for species that cannot speak for themselves. It was a peaceful, grounding experience that deepened my commitment to wildlife protection. I’m truly grateful to Dr Wong Siew Te, the bear care officers, keepers, fellow interns, and volunteers for their patience and guidance. Their unwavering dedication and love for the bears is inspiring and something I deeply respect.

I hope more people will come to know and cherish our Bornean sun bear and that every rescued bear here can continue to live happily and, when possible, return to the wild where they belong.

Fulung is one of the most popular bears at the centre. He is friendly, confident, and very curious about his surroundings. He is often seen standing on his hind legs to get a better look or smell, which makes him easy to recognise.

He spends his days roaming the forest enclosure, foraging, resting, basking in the sun, and climbing trees. Fulung also gets along well with other bears such as Ah Bui, Julaini, and Ah Lun. He is an active and curious bear who enjoys exploring and showing his natural behaviours.

Working on a spinning feeder enrichment designed for Susie and Kuamut.

Grass and leaves added to enrich the setup and make it closer to a natural environment.

A special thanks to Effendy for his support in making the spinning feeder enrichment.