Text and Photos by Chiew Lin May
“Growling, and bawling loudly” every day from one of the female sun bear cub, Dodop. Sun bear cubs will begin bawling long, and loud when frightened or separated from their mothers. Cubs also scream in distress like human babies. This has happened to Dodop because she was treated like a pet, kept in a house and lost her four permanent canines. She has absolutely no fear of humans and has loss of wild instinct. Usually mother and sun bear cubs will stay together in the wild for two to three years, as they should be. It is likely that Wawa and Dodop’s mothers were killed by poachers. Their mother defends them, warms them, nurses them and teaches them survival skills. Sun bear cubs require around the clock care. This is undoubtedly why Dodop looks so sad and depressed when her care taker is not around.
So our Bear Care unitmade the decision that Dodop and Wawa need to be introduced to have their first ever bear friend. Finally the big day arrived on 25th June 2016, where we integrated Dodop with Wawa. Dodop is 11 months old and Wawa is 7 months old. She is bigger than Wawa. On that day, Dodop was transferred to an adjacent den. It was a new environment for Dodop at the beginning but she quickly adapted to it.
As soon as Wawa saw Dodop, she kept barking in a deep voice at Dodop for the first 15 minutes. Dodop was shocked and barked back. But Wawa being the curious one went into the den where Dodop was located, and tried to approach, and sniff her. Wawa wrestled her and was teaching Dodop to fight back by showing small, strong canines and small, sharp claws! The cubs wrestled and pawed non-stop with one another for about 30 minutes before one of them gave up for a rest.
Wawa was very curious towards Dodop and barked on her during their first meeting.
This is a special day for Dodop and Wawa. This could be their first contact with another sun bear after a very long time.
They still definitely curious!
This friend as something to say…
Wawa already start her curiosity and playfulness.
Wawa and Dodop share the same large dens. Wawa is willing to let Dodop explore the world but only on her terms! They spend a lot of time climbing enrichment structures, wresting each other, chasing, sharing the same enrichment and taking naps inside the hammock or basket. They have developed and acquired new survival skills as wild bears. They have big appetites! They keep putting on weight and eating a variety of food, including milk, sweet corn, banana, papaya, honey dew, watermelon and honey. Both of them tend to get more fruits on themselves than in their mouth! Wawa now weighs 16.10kg and Dodop weighs 20.90 kg. Wawa is the more outgoing of the two cubs. Dodop’s condition is continuing to improve and she has becomea more confident little cub after meeting her new friend, Wawa.
Wawa is the kind of bear who is up for anything…
Dodop has a distinct personality and habits that are unique to her. She enjoys the love and attention she receives.
They spend a great deal of their time playing and wrestling together.
They spend a great deal of their time playing and wrestling together.
They spend a great deal of their time playing and wrestling together.
A great new playmate!! Dodop (left) is pawing Wawa (right).
Wawa show to Dodop that she has strength too!
Wawa show to Dodop that she has strength too!
All happily grasped between grateful paws.
PLAYTIME!!
Bear cub keepers give the cubs various enrichment items – these could be dead logs, puzzle feeders, the Aussie dog ball, dry leaves, green leaves,a fire hose pocket filled with peanut butter and many others. Both of them are extremely playful and love to investigate the new toys together. They socialize with each other and explore their surroundings.
Wawa shows more dominance compared to Dodop. Although being the youngest and smallest, she never feels threatened by Dodop. For the rest of the weeks, they integrated well and cared for each other better. No serious aggression was noted. They spend more time learning how to be in a beautiful friendship, and to be happy, healthy, agile sun bears after all that they have been through. For them, life is full of happiness and filled with new things to explore which is just the way it should be for a sun bear cub.
Even Wawa was smaller than Dodop. Wawa is total boss.
They love to mock wrestle with each other.
They are full of enthusiasm who enjoys making the maximum use of enrichments in the dens.
They are full of enthusiasm who enjoys making the maximum use of enrichments in the dens.
They are full of enthusiasm who enjoys making the maximum use of enrichments in the dens.
They are full of enthusiasm who enjoys making the maximum use of enrichments in the dens.
They are full of enthusiasm who enjoys making the maximum use of enrichments in the dens.
They are full of enthusiasm who enjoys making the maximum use of enrichments in the dens.
Sometimes they play, sometimes they find a tasty snack, and sometimes they nap far above the ground.
So much happier with their pain and trauma removed.
They are many more sun bears suffering due to habitat loss, hunting and illegal wildlife trade. The number of sun bears have fallen by at least 30% over the past 30 years. We need to highlight ending wildlife trafficking which includes ending demand, strengthening wildlife laws and enforcement. We need to stand up and do our part!
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