Meet Our Crew
The BSBCC has 28 dedicated full-time staff who run and assist in the centre's operation. They rise to the challenge of taking care of the welfare of 44 sun bears, have a lot of fun too!
Dr (Hon) Wong Siew Te, D. J. N
CEO and Founder of BSBCC
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Dr. (Hon) Wong Siew Te, founded the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre in 2008 and is the drive behind the project. Wong, one of the few Malaysian wildlife biologists who was trained in Taiwan and U.S.A., has been studying and working on the ecological conservation of the sun bear since 1998. His pioneer studies of sun bears in the Bornean rainforest have taken him into the most threatened wildlife habitat on Earth, where field work is exceedingly difficult.
Witness to many captive bears - cubs and adults - kept in small cages, unhygienic and often disgusting conditions in zoos, farms, private menageries, and private homes - almost all of them suffering from serious stereotypic behaviours: relentless pacing and circling, obsessive licking and other disturbing behaviours.
Seeing sun bears in these dreadful captive conditions combined with his animal welfare and veterinary education and his love for sun bears, Wong was inspired to set up the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre in 2008.
Witness to many captive bears - cubs and adults - kept in small cages, unhygienic and often disgusting conditions in zoos, farms, private menageries, and private homes - almost all of them suffering from serious stereotypic behaviours: relentless pacing and circling, obsessive licking and other disturbing behaviours.
Seeing sun bears in these dreadful captive conditions combined with his animal welfare and veterinary education and his love for sun bears, Wong was inspired to set up the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre in 2008.
"I am determined to help Bornean sun bears. The challenge is huge, and I cannot do this alone. I need help, support and allies. Every voice counts and together we can make a difference."
Dr. Wong Siew Te, CEO & Founder of BSBCC
Wong's Profile
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wong_Siew_Te
Email: wongsiew@hotmail.com
Profession:
Wildlife Biologist, Tropical Forest Ecologist & Sun Bear Expert; CEO & Founder, Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre.
Nationality: Malaysian
Born: 1969
Raised: Penang, northern Peninsular Malaysia.
Education:
Awards and Recognition
2017 Wira Negaraku, recognized as “My Country Hero”; Prime Minister Office, Federal Government of
Malaysia.
2016 Honorary Award of Doctor of the University. University of Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia.
2016 Nominee, Merdeka Award (Environment Category)
2015 Nature World Heroes, November 2015.
http://www.naturalworldsafaris.com/inspiration/natural-world-heroes/wong-siew-te.aspx.
2014 Nominee, Merdeka Award (Environment Category)
2014 2014 Outstanding Alumni Award, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung,Taiwan.
2014 Conferred “Darjah Johan Negeri” (DJN) (Member, Order of the Defender of State) by the Governor of Penang.
2014 Nominee, Merdeka Award (Environment Category)
2013 Nominee, Merdeka Award (Environment Category)
2013 Guang Ming Hero Award -1st Runner Up (RM3,000)
2012 Recognized as a wildlife hero featured in the book Wildlife Heroes: 40 Leading Conservationists and the Animals They Are Committed to Saving.
2012 Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre was nominated for Merdeka Award (Environment Category)
2009 Bertha Morton Scholarship, University of Montana. US$2,000.
The University of Montana Graduate Student Travel Award.
2006 Best Student Project Award in Training Course on Advanced Techniques in Frugivory and Seed Dispersal, Yunnan, China.
2006 17th International Bear Association Conference in Japan Travel Award;
2006 Flying Elephant Foundation Fellowship, US$25,000
2006 Sea World Busch Gardens Conservation Award, US$10,000;
2006 Annual Meeting of the Association of Tropical Biology and Conservation Travel Grant $500;
2005 The 9th International Mammalogical Congress Travel Award, $1,000;
2004 The University of Montana Graduate Student Travel Award, $1,270;
2001 Minnesota Zoo Conservation Advisory Team Awards, $1000;
1997 James C. Salinas Scholarship, University of Montana.
1997 Forestry Dean’s Award-Wildlife Biology;
1997 M. Papich Scholarship/FAO Award, U of Montana
1995 Vaughan Family Estate Scholarship/FAO Award, University of Montana
Email: wongsiew@hotmail.com
Profession:
Wildlife Biologist, Tropical Forest Ecologist & Sun Bear Expert; CEO & Founder, Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre.
Nationality: Malaysian
Born: 1969
Raised: Penang, northern Peninsular Malaysia.
Education:
- Primary School: Kin Sen Primary School, Bukit Mertakam, Penang, Malaysia (1976-1981)
- Secondary School: Jit Sin High School, Bukit Mertajam, Penang, Malaysia (1982-1987)
- Diploma, Animal Science & Veterinary, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pintung County, Taiwan, R.O.C. (1989-1992)
- Bachelor of Science, Wildlife Biology, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, U.S.A. (1994-1997)
- Master of Science, Wildlife Biology, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, U.S.A. (1998-2002)
- Philosophy of Doctor (Incomplete). Fish and Wildlife Biology, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, U.S.A. (2002-2011).
- Honorary Doctor of the University. University of Sunshine Coast, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia.
Awards and Recognition
2017 Wira Negaraku, recognized as “My Country Hero”; Prime Minister Office, Federal Government of
Malaysia.
2016 Honorary Award of Doctor of the University. University of Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia.
2016 Nominee, Merdeka Award (Environment Category)
2015 Nature World Heroes, November 2015.
http://www.naturalworldsafaris.com/inspiration/natural-world-heroes/wong-siew-te.aspx.
2014 Nominee, Merdeka Award (Environment Category)
2014 2014 Outstanding Alumni Award, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung,Taiwan.
2014 Conferred “Darjah Johan Negeri” (DJN) (Member, Order of the Defender of State) by the Governor of Penang.
2014 Nominee, Merdeka Award (Environment Category)
2013 Nominee, Merdeka Award (Environment Category)
2013 Guang Ming Hero Award -1st Runner Up (RM3,000)
2012 Recognized as a wildlife hero featured in the book Wildlife Heroes: 40 Leading Conservationists and the Animals They Are Committed to Saving.
2012 Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre was nominated for Merdeka Award (Environment Category)
2009 Bertha Morton Scholarship, University of Montana. US$2,000.
The University of Montana Graduate Student Travel Award.
2006 Best Student Project Award in Training Course on Advanced Techniques in Frugivory and Seed Dispersal, Yunnan, China.
2006 17th International Bear Association Conference in Japan Travel Award;
2006 Flying Elephant Foundation Fellowship, US$25,000
2006 Sea World Busch Gardens Conservation Award, US$10,000;
2006 Annual Meeting of the Association of Tropical Biology and Conservation Travel Grant $500;
2005 The 9th International Mammalogical Congress Travel Award, $1,000;
2004 The University of Montana Graduate Student Travel Award, $1,270;
2001 Minnesota Zoo Conservation Advisory Team Awards, $1000;
1997 James C. Salinas Scholarship, University of Montana.
1997 Forestry Dean’s Award-Wildlife Biology;
1997 M. Papich Scholarship/FAO Award, U of Montana
1995 Vaughan Family Estate Scholarship/FAO Award, University of Montana
The Team
Let's meet them!
Bear Care Unit
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Dr. Yeoh Boon Nie
Veterinarian Role
Provide veterinary care for the captive sun bears and other wildlife. Advice on bears' husbandry management. Hometown Penang |
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Jacquelyn Jill Jepiuh
Bear Care Officer Role
Assist in bear care, assist in Research and Rehabilitation. Dealing with bear medical problems and in-charge in volunteering programme. Hometown Kota Kinabalu, Sabah |
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Mohd Yuery Wazlan Abdul Wahad
Bear Care Coordinator Role
Assist in bear care, assist in Research and Rehabilitation. Dealing with bear medical problems and in-charge in volunteering programme. Hometown Lahad Datu, Sabah |
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David Tahir
Senior Bear Keeper Role
Assist in bear care, assist in Research and Rehabilitation. Dealing with bear medical problems and in-charge in volunteering programme. Hometown Kota Kinabalu, Sabah |
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Ronny Jumahat
Senior Maintenance Role
Keep the centre clean and safe, this includes general cleaning, repairing and maintaining everything in the centre. Hometown Sandakan, Sabah |
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Mohd Syahrul Nizam Bin Mohamad Salleh
Maintenance Role
Keep the centre clean and safe, this includes general cleaning, repairing and maintaining everything in the centre. Hometown Sandakan, Sabah |
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Tunny Luis
Maintenance Role
Keep the centre clean and safe, this includes general cleaning, repairing and maintaining everything in the centre. Hometown Sandakan, Sabah |
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Jude Ailton George
Bear Keeper Role
Assist Bear Keepers in husbandry routines, medicating, enrichment set up, bear reintroduce, maintaining the centre and reporting. Hometown Telupid, Sabah |
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Dellson Kuntil
Bear Keeper Role
Assist Bear Keepers in husbandry routines, medicating, enrichment set up, bear reintroduce, maintaining the centre and reporting. Hometown Telupid, Sabah |
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David Oliver Gilbert
Bear Keeper Role
Assist Bear Keepers in husbandry routines, medicating, enrichment set up, bear reintroduce, maintaining the centre and reporting. Hometown Telupid, Sabah |
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Azwie Bin Sarail
Bear Keeper Role
Assist Bear Keepers in husbandry routines, medicating, enrichment set up, bear reintroduce, maintaining the centre and reporting. Hometown Sandakan, Sabah |
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Julamih Jainudin
Bear Keeper Role
Assist Bear Keepers in husbandry routines, medicating, enrichment set up, bear reintroduce, maintaining the centre and reporting. Hometown Sandakan, Sabah |
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Nealbert Robert
Bear Keeper Role
Assist Bear Keepers in husbandry routines, medicating, enrichment set up, bear reintroduce, maintaining the centre and reporting. Hometown Sandakan, Sabah |
Environmental Education Unit
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Gloria Ganang
Environmental Education Executive Role
Organise educational activities, writing reports and developing educational displays. Hometown Born in Kota Kinabalu, raised in Sipitang, Sabah |
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Risnayati Lammu
Environmental Education Officer Role
Assists Gloria, the Environmental Education Executive in planning education programme, writing newsletters, managing adoption programme and also facilitating visitors. Hometown Born in Kunak, Tawau, raised in Sandakan |
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Yvonne Chong
Environmental Education Officer The UPROAR Fund - Sun Bear Ambassador Role
In charge of managing social media, translating English and Malay to Chinese, coordinate visits for special interest groups and VIPs, handling visitors queries and promoting awareness, besides assisting in planning and conducting environmental education programmes as well as outreach programmes. Hometown Lahad Datu, Sabah |
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Mohd Haniff bin Mohd Busrah
Environmental Education Officer Role
Coordinate visits for special interest groups and VIPs, handling visitors queries and promoting awareness, besides assisting in planning and conducting environmental education programmes as well as outreach programmes. Hometown Sandakan, Sabah |
Finance, Human Resource, Sales and Administration Unit
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Audrey Wong
Finance and Human Resource Executive Role
Handling company financial, accounting matters and payroll. Hometown Keningau, Sabah |
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Faironytha Pius
Sales and Admin Officer Role
Assisting the HR and Finance Officer in doing human resources and financial related works besides of handling visitors enquiries on the Centre and viewing platforms. Hometown Born in Sandakan, raised in Sepilok, Sabah |
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Zana Emaliza binti Wastin
Sales and Admin Officer Role
Assisting the HR and Finance Officer in doing human resources and financial related works besides of handling visitors enquiries on the Centre and viewing platforms. Hometown Kota Belud, Sabah |
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Max Tan Hong Siang
Ticketing cum Shopkeeper Role
Providing information on the bears and centre at the reception and on the platform, selling entry tickets and merchandise and stock taking. Hometown Sandakan, Sabah |
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Nurul Haslinda Binti Abdul Kahar
Ticketing cum Shopkeeper Role
Providing information on the bears and centre at the reception and on the platform, selling entry tickets and merchandise and stock taking. Hometown Sandakan, Sabah |
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Nur Azrinie binti Awang
Ticketing cum Shopkeeper Role
Providing information on the bears and centre at the reception and on the platform, selling entry tickets and merchandise and stock taking. Hometown Sandakan, Sabah |
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Rospinah Adok
Cleaner Role
In charge of maintaining the overall cleanliness of the Centre Hometown Sandakan, Sabah |
Have a question or comment? We welcome all enquiries, so please get in touch from any of the methods below:
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Write to us at our
Postal Address BSBCC,
PPM 219, Elopura, 90000 Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia |
Contact us on our Facebook, Twitter & Instagram
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