Ah Chong our sweet male bear has left us on the morning of February 15th, 2011 due to Congestive Heart Failure caused by an abnormal heart that associated with genetic abnormality. Ah Chong was sent to Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre from Telupid, interior Sabah on Sep 6, 2001, as an adult pet bear locked up in small cage for years. Ever since he was captured as pet, he never touches soil, climb a tree, nor have any contact to the forest, until he was moved to the BSBCC’s first bear house and forest enclosures in April 2010. At his new home, Ah Chong dug the soil, sniffed the forest air, and be like a wild bear. Sometime, he preferred to stay at his indoor den than staying outside in the forest enclosure, because physiologically he thought indoor was safer than in the outdoor as majority of his life was actually spent behind bars on concrete floor.
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We will remember Ah Chong although he is no longer with us anymore. Om the sun bear, Ah Chong’s long time playmate, seem more quite than before, probably grief over the loss of his long time friend. The story of Ah Chong tells the story of a typical caged sun bear. Habitat lost, human encroachment, poaching, female bears being killed, bear cub being captured for pet trade, follows by years and years of living behind bars and confines in small cages for many years until they died from old age, diseases, or mentally breakdown.
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An Chong is finally free from suffering as a sun bear who live in captivity all his life because of human’s cruelty, greed, and naivetivity. From of your supports and help, Ah Chong finally got a chance to live like a wild bear at the very end of his life at the BSBCC’s forest enclosure.
![AH-CHONG-1-Wai-Pak-Ng2[1]](http://sunbears.wildlifedirect.org/files/2011/03/AH-CHONG-1-Wai-Pak-Ng21-1024x768.jpg "AH-CHONG-1-Wai-Pak-Ng2[1]")
May you rest in peace Ah Chong, we will always miss you and remember you!
This piece of news greatly saddened me. I remember fondly how Ah Chong was the focus of our enrichment ideas last July, in various attempts to encourage him outdoors. Ah Chong was such a sweet big boy who enjoyed all that BSBCC had given him. Rest in Peace, Ah Chong. You will be dearly missed.
Here are some comments posted on the facebook:
Eco Gear: sorry to hear this.
Sarah Crosskey: such sad news, sorry to hear this……he was such a sweet bear. I miss them all!
Maggie Collinson: Well you gave him almost 10 years of love and caring that gave him a greater quality of life, Ah chong gave you lessons to help you look after the future bears that will come into the centre…..Be proud
Bob Hartley: Wong, I have some additional pics of Ah Chong if you need them, he was a lovely bear, it’s very sad.
Wong Siew Te: Hi Bob, please send those pics of Ah Chong to me. Yes, he was a lovely and loving bear. He will be missed.
Thanks Maggie and all.
Bob Hartley: k buddy, will do.
Amy De Kanter I’m so sorry for your loss…
SayLin Ong: My impression of Ah Chong is that of an endearing gentle giant loved by many. Volunteers and staff alike who weren’t directly with BSBCC often stopped by to ask “Has Ah Chong ventured out yet?” Everyone knew his reluctance to head into the …forests due to his unfortunate past as a pet bear.
We can find comfort in the fact that he enjoyed his sanctuary at BSBCC, having thoroughly enjoyed his food and improvised showers from his water dispenser. At the very least, he didn’t fade away alone in a dismal cage in someone’s backyard. His story is known, and will be remembered as an inspiration for other bear rescues. RIP, Ah Chong. Thank you Wong, Wai Pak and company for making a big difference in his life.
Wong, I still have a video of Ah Chong splashing about with his water container. Will send it to you soon with any other photos I have of him.See More
Monique Backes: I am very sorry for the loss. One thing, in the text you say Ah Chong came to you 10 years ago!? Then why integrate him last July ???
Wong Siew Te: Hi Monique, Ah Chong was keep in a single cage and did not mix with other bears until last July. Adult male bears are often very aggressive toward each orther. The intergration was done last year because we finally had a better facility that can integrate two bears together. Ah Chong and Om were neighbor for years and know each other well. I founded BSBCC in 2008 aimed to “take good care” of these captive sun bears. They were taken care of my the Sabah Wildlife Department before I step in to help these bears.
More from facebook:
Anna Gee: Condolences – I am sure he was a well loved and grateful friend
Cerah Sun Bear: sniff. I miss him LOTS already- i don’t want to see one less bear friend in our facility. Thanks to the BSBCC- they provide us with a good life and the bear specialists like Wong (which are very few as a matter of fact) do us a lot of good. I will see you again some day, my dear friend Ah Chong. xoxoxo ? ? ?
Zeki Gunay: Rest in Peace Ah Chong
Carol Wilson: ?–It’s a very nice article and tribute, Wong, it is very moving and heartfelt. Rest in peace, Ah Chong.
Eileen Reilly: I am so sorry!
Hallo,BSBCC’s fellows.
I love love love Ah chong,R.I.P
(I’m sorry English ..unskilled… )
HI Yuko, Thank you for your love to Ah Chong. Please write more in the future. Your English is good. ?????????!
Hi Dr Wong,
I would like to write Ah Chong’s story in my blog. Just want your opinion regarding his Chinese name, you prefer ‘??’ or ‘??‘?
Thank you
HI Jasmine,
Chinese will not show up on this page. Please email me. Thanks!