Sun Bear Food Enrichment

Text and Videos by Nealbert Robert

​Bear enrichment is the process of providing bears with stimulating and naturalistic environments that enhance their physical and mental well-being. One of the ways to enrich bears is to offer them a variety of foods that they can forage, manipulate, and enjoy. Some examples of foods that can be used for bear enrichment are:

• Coconut: Coconuts are hard and fibrous fruits that can challenge the bears’ teeth and claws. They also contain nutritious and tasty coconut water and flesh that the bears can drink and eat.

• Apple: Apples are juicy and crunchy fruits that can stimulate the bears’ senses of taste and smell. They also contain vitamins and antioxidants that can benefit the bears’ health.

• Corn: Corn is a cereal crop that can provide the bears with carbohydrates and fiber. It can also be presented in different forms, such as whole ears, kernels, or popcorn, to increase the bears’ interest and curiosity.

• Sugar cane: Sugar cane is a tall grass that can provide the bears with natural sugars and minerals. It can also be used as a tool or a toy, as the bears can peel, chew, or play with it.

These are some of the foods that can be used for bear enrichment. By offering these foods to the bears, keepers can improve the bears’ quality of life and welfare! 

Thank you to Yayasan Hasanah, Kementerian Kewangan and Yayasan Sime Darby for  always supporting our cause which helps us provide a better life for all our 44 resident sun bears!