Text and Photos by Chiew Lin May
It is only if we can raise awareness of these little known sun bears that we can ensure a place for them in the world. Lets hear your thought of what this little Damai is thinking? Please help us spread the words and loves !!
Text and Photos by Chiew Lin May
The mysterious and world’s smallest bear of the jungle !!
Below are variety of pictures of Damai, female sun bear cub which spend each day foraging, climbing and resting in the tropical forest. Some pictures just tell a story better than words ever can. Please help us spread the words of our forgotten species – Sun bear.
Sun bear, the world smallest bear, is also the most arboreal bear.
Damai is busy foraging for search of termites on dead stump until the wood dust also stick on her hand.
She is roaming at the grassland of forest.
Damai found her favorite dead wood for digging.
Damai is enjoy playing the stick on forest floor.
Eye see you !!
Damai is use her long and powerful canines to break the branches.
Using her keen sense of smell, Damai is very focused on digging in search for invertebrates.
…Thinking of want to climb this tree or not.
Damai was slept by biting the branch of tree.
Text and photos by Chiew Lin May
I share this earth with you !!
Just a few precious moments observed, but so much learnt and so many expressions seen!! Damai have such strength yet are adorable.
Remember that she share this earth with you !! Please spread the words for sun bears to help us keep fighting for their survival.
Keep up to date on Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre news by visiting our website www.bsbcc.org.my
Look there is a Damai’s claw mark on the tree.
She is busy searching for her favorite insects.
She found a new termite mound and keep busy on digging.
Damai have a strong canines to tear up the tree bark.
Damai feel sleepy after tired explore the forest.
Damai is a very good tree climber. She spend lot of time foraging, resting and sleeping on tree canopy of rainforest.
At the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC), all confiscated orphaned sun bears arriving at the centre must undergo electric fence training before they can be released into the BSBCC’s forest enclosure. Entering the forest enclosure is a very important phase for these bears, as they take their first steps onto the forest floor, often after spending many years in cages.
Some of the bears may take only one day to enter the forest, whereas some may take one week and others one month or more before they put all four of their feet onto the soil.
On 5th March 2013, the door that connects our BSBCC bear house to the forest enclosure was opened to let the sub-adult sun bear group consisting of – Natalie, Rungus, Ah Lun and Julaini access to the forest.
As expected, the “Group Leader” Natalie was the first one to lead the group to explore the conditions around the newly opened door. However, none of the bears stepped foot into the forest on that first day.
The Group Leader – Natalie, the first one to lead the group to explore the conditions around the door.
On 7th March 2013, Natalie was still “checking” the surroundings by putting her front two feet outside the door. At times the bears were attracted to and curious about the macaques that were roaming near the forest enclosure.
Julaini (right), showing his long tongue and putting his front two feet outside the door.
The 12th March 2013 was the day that the BSBCC team members had been waiting for!!
10:28am: Rungus walking down the ramp to get the food and honey. Excitement, caution and curiosity were all displayed on Rungus’ face and in her movements.
Unexpected outcome, Rungus walking down the ramp and all four of her feet onto the soil.
She started to explore the surroundings by sniffing around, before heading straight inside the forest without even waiting for Natalie, Ah Lun and Julaini !!
Rungus, heading straight inside forest !!
2.30pm: The “Group Leader” Natalie, started to become confident enough to step outside again. She tried to get the food that was scattered around the forest enclosure. Slowly she stepped onto the forest floor, alert to everything surrounding her. Natalie found some dead wood just near to the open door and started digging into it for around ten minutes before going into the forest to meet with Rungus.
Natalie, slowly stepped outside to get the food.
Have a look at the photos to check out what Rungus and Natalie are doing on their first day out in the forest!!
First try into forest by “The Group Leader” – Natalie !!
Julaini (right), exploring the surrounding of the door.
Natalie, digging the soil on the first day step into BSBCC forest enclosure !!
Text & Video by Chiew Lin May
Photo by Gloria Ganang and Chiew Lin May
Many people regard termite as pests as they are destroying wooden building and furniture. However, these small creatures are important as a food source for sun bears in the tropical rainforest of Southeast Asia.
Termite belong to the insect order Isoptera. Termites are great architects. There are different species of termites make mounds (termite hill) of different shapes of nest structure in the tropical forest.
A dicuspiditermites spp found at Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve
Termite are an asset in the jungle. They paly important roles in recycling the organic material and decomposers in tropical forest. Beside feeding on dead woody materials, several termite species also damage life trees in forest. For example, microceratermes spp is wood feeding termite that attack living tree. Wong Siew Te, our Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) CEO and Founder described sun bear act as “Forest Doctor”. This is because sun bears are keeping check and maintain the health of tropical forest in a good condition which makes sure the population of termites is under control. Sun bear create new “feeding site” when breaking the termite mound and feeding on these tiny invertebrates. After the feast, the termite mound is abandoned by the bears but other insect eating animals use it as a feeding site.
What will happen if sun bear is missing in the forest? The termite’s population sure will be out of control and upset the equilibrium of the forest ecosystem.
The little one, Damai become a forest doctor.
Damai was hugging a life tree which covers with a wood feeding termite nest.
Damai, a 7 month old female sun bear cub which was rescued by the Sabah Wildlife Department and was sent to BSBCC on last November learned how to dig when she was young. We walk Damai in the Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve for few hours each day for the past few months. Damai like to roam in the forest like a wild bear. She is now mastering well in her digging, climbing, and foraging skills in the forest. We proud to see Damai improve and grow so fast.
Sun bear are opportunistic omnivores that feed on forest insects such as termites and beetles. Insects as are important source of protein and a major component of bear diet. Damai view her world largely though her nose. She uses her keen sense of smell to locate their food source from a distances. When walking her in the forest, she spends most of her time foraging. She lumbers though the forest smelling the forest floor. She find termites by sniffing a decayed wood/ decayed log/ termite nest for any sign of termites, and digging it with her powerful long, curved claws. After that she will bit into the log with her strong canines and lick up the insects, larvae or eggs by her long tongue in fast flicking motion !! She even eat the termite queen ! No matter how tiny the paw is, she is capable to break into the termite nest and eat them. Sometimes she was too excited and rolls her body around the termite nest. It was so awesome!!
Some pictures tell a stories better than words. Here are some picture of Damai digging and searching for termites in the Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve, Sabah.
Damai breaking the termite mound searching for her favorite termites.
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She licks up the larvae with her long tongue.
Look at the sharp claws, even this young Damai is capable to rip apart dead wood to get food.
Using her keen sense of smell, Damai is very focused on digging in search for termites.
The abandoned termite mound after breaking by Damai. This feeding site will benefit to other animals who feed on termites.
Watch this short video which show how Damai foraging, digging searching for termites at Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve, Sabah. It was an opportunity to study the behavior and ecology of sun bear. Hope you all enjoy this short video on what is going on in the world of Sun bear.
Please help us spread words, share this video and love for this little known bear- Sun bear.
Damai the sun bear cub feeds on termites in the forest of BSBCC
Text and video by Chiew Lin May
Tropical rainforest are the sun bear’s main habitat. They are tree lover and can climb extremely well. Many of the features are specifically adapted for a more tree-dwelling lifestyle. Example the long, curved, pointy claws and they can rotate their arm just like primate do. However, sun bear faces many challenges for its survival, including destruction of forests and commercial hunting.
Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) would like to help and conserve sun bears.Please help us save them.Watch this video to discover what we do know about this amazing and special sun bears in their natural habitat.
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May the good times and treasures of the present become the golden memories of tomorrow.
Wish you lots of love, joy and happiness.
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Text and photo by Tee Thye Lim
“Is the Koala a bear species?”
Asked our Project Manager, Wai Pak to the primary school students of SK. St. Gabriel who visited our centre on the 23 Oct 2012.
Wai Pak giving a short briefing to the SK St. Gabriel students
before they were brought in for a tour at BSBCC.
“Yes, because it looks like a bear!”
A little girl raised up her hand and answered.
“No! Koala is not a bear!”
A little boy refuted from the opposite side. The argument continued for about 3 minutes until Wai Pak announced the answer.
“No, Koala is not a bear species, it is a type of the Marsupial, same family with the kangaroos” said Wai Pak.
The different facial expressions of the students after learning
that the Koala is not a bear
Most of the kids have an idea of a sun bear. They’ve seen it on TV programmes, perhaps on the internet, however not in a natural environment.
Some of them also mentioned about the local TV programme, TV3 which aired a documentary about BSBCC last week end: <Sunshine in Sepilok: Tales of the Bornean Sun Bears>
Later, knowing that they were about to see real, life Bornean sun bears, the smallest among the smallest of the bears in the world, the kids couldn’t wait.
The young generations’ curiosity of the nature is always the
best inspiration of mother Earth conservation
The SK St. Gabriel students at first did not see the Sun Bears roaming at the visible spot.
Fortunately, they were able to join the second group of visitors on that day which was the students of the American International School of Hong Kong, guided by the Animal Projects & Environmental Education (APE) Malaysia team.
This time everyone was able to spot the sun bears. More excitingly, sun bears climbing the trees!
The American International School of Hong Kong group were then invited to watch the BSBCC documentary <Big Dream Little Bears>.
Wai Pak giving a short introduction about the documentary
At the end of the visit, SK. St. Gabriel presented a drawing to BSBCC. It was inspiring! Thank you so much!
Wai Pak (left) and Wong (centre) receiving the drawing
from SK St. Gabriel
Also, many thanks to APE Malaysia team for your donations! Not forgetting the hessian sacks you brought us. The bears will definitely love rubbing themselves on them!
Lastly and most importantly, thank you for sparing time and efforts to visit our Centre. It was such a great opportunity for us to share the needs of this small small bear species!
Representative of the American International School group (right) handing over donation to BSBCC, represented by Wai Pak (left)
Thank you SK. St. Gabriel!
Thank you APE Malaysia and American International School of Hong Kong!
We hope to see you again!
Text and photo by Tee Thye Lim
We would like to express our millions of appreciation and special credits to the Ministry of Tourism Malaysia through the Sabah Wildlife Department, for providing us the funds to expand the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC).
Now, we are pleased to announce the completion of our observation platform, elevated board walk that link the car park to the observation platform, and the access road to the bear house.
This construction project started on the 9th Sept 2011, and it is now completed!
Click here to read about <We are getting there!>
The schematic diagram of BSBCC observation platform
The “Organic Bridge” which was built by Raleigh volunteers using reused iron wood that links up the elevated board walk and walking path to briefing area
The ground path which links visitors from “Organic Bridge” to the briefing area. You will find the sun bear’s chest mark pattern design along the walkway!
The staircase which links the briefing area to the “Organic Bridge”.
The access road to the new bear house!
The boardwalk to BSBCC observation platform is now completed!
Yes, we are almost reaching the new BSBCC observation platform.
Here we are! The BSBCC new observation platform!
From here, you will have the chance to observe the world's smallest bear species in their natural behavior and habitat.
Our new platform can hold a maximum capacity up to 40 visitors.
The BSBCC is expecting to be opened for the public by next year (2013), and we are looking forward to seeing you here soon!
And now our remaining task is to raise sufficient funds for the construction of:
The completion of these components is crucial for the success for BSBCC to achieve our missions which is to conserve sun bears through a combination of education, rehabilitation, research, and improve the welfare of captive orphaned sun bears!
Read more: In the dark over sun bears – General – New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/in-the-dark-over-sun-bears-1.79034#ixzz1tXnQwemG
A sun bear at the Lok Kawi Wildlife Park near Kota Kinabalu. Pic by Malai Romah Tuah
Read more: In the dark over sun bears – General – New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/in-the-dark-over-sun-bears-1.79034#ixzz1tXnKWHMu
KOTA KINABALU: IT has been more than three years but not many know about the existence of the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) in Sandakan.
The facility located near the existing Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre (SOURC) is an effort to provide care, rehabilitation and eventual release of orphaned and captive sun bears.
With on-going work to develop the 2.5ha park continuing, the facility hopes to address the lack of knowledge and awareness about this little-known species, said chief executive officer Wong Siew Te.
Wong, 43, who had conducted research on the species of bear at Danum Valley (Lahad Datu) for six years, said despite the knowledge that the bear population in the peninsula and Sabah was declining, there was no data on the exact number of the sun bears remaining in the wild.
According to the website dedicated to the centre at http://sunbears.wildlifedirect.org, the Malayan sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) found only in south-east Asia, is the world’s smallest bear species.
The Bornean sun bear (Helarctos malayanus euryspilus) is known to be the only sub-species of sun bear, and is distinctly smaller.
“While they are facing extinction due to habitat destruction following deforestation and humans taking their cubs as pets, there is also the issue of lack of exposure and very little study done on these bears.
“There is also the threat of bear-poaching for commercial exploitation. The fact that sun bears have a slow reproductive life — a female bear which can produce five cubs in her lifetime would be considered very productive — also contributes towards its low population density,” he added.
There are currently 25 bears at the centre, all seized by the Wildlife Department from people who kept them as pets.
As for funding, he said the centre had received RM5 million. He said RM2 million came from the government and the rest from the private sector
Read more: In the dark over sun bears – General – New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/in-the-dark-over-sun-bears-1.79034#ixzz1tXn7uDSm
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