The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) is holding a launching ceremony of its New Gelugob Bridge on 16th January 2024, 10 am, at their Centre in Sepilok, Sandakan. The New Gelugob Bridge was built in replacement of the old Gelugob Bridge built by Raleigh International volunteers in 2009, using reclaimed Belian planks from fences built for Sumatran Rhinos at the Rhino Breeding Centre that was set up here in Sepilok during the 1980s.
The bridge was decided to be named “Gelugob Bridge” after a
female Sumatran Rhino, Gelugob who was known as the oldest Sumatran Rhino in
captivity. Gelugob was one of the residents at the Rhino Breeding Centre before
being transferred to the Lok Kawi Wildlife Park in Kota Kinabalu. In January
2014, Gelugob died of age-related illness at the age of 37. The deteriorating
condition of the old bridge was crucial to be replaced as the bridge has been
an important access path for visitors to the BSBCC. To ensure safety of
visitors entering the Centre, the new bridge was built with sturdier structure,
using concrete and heavy-duty materials. The new bridge is also wheelchair user
friendly. Thanks to the support from the Ministry of Finance Malaysia, through
Yayasan Sime Darby, the Centre was able to secure enough funding to rebuild the
bridge and it was officially completed on 20th December 2023.
During the launching event, BSBCC is also celebrating its
10-Year Anniversary of opening to the public. BSBCC has five pillars where the
conservation efforts are focusing on these five areas. One of the pillars of
BSBCC as the only sun bear conservation Centre in the world is to raise
awareness and educate the public about the plights of sun bears and their
rainforest habitat. The other pillars include promote ecotourism, which not
only helped BSBCC generate sufficient revenue to operate for the past 16 years,
but also help to create job opportunities and improve local people’s
livelihood. Since the Centre opened to the public in January 2014, a total of
553,760 visitors were received with international visitors contributing 60% of
total visitor numbers. In addition to that, the Centre also received 397 local
and international school groups comprising 15,174 students and educators.
Educational activities are organized during these school visits to enhance
understanding on sun bear conservation among the young generations.
The BSBCC’s CEO and Founder, Dr. Wong Siew Te expresses his special gratitude to the Sabah Forestry Department, Sabah Wildlife Department, Land Empowerment Animals People (LEAP) for their never-ending support towards the Centre since the Centre’s establishment in 2008, important funders including the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture of Malaysia, Sabah State Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Malaysia Ministry of Finance, Sime Darby Foundation, Hasanah Foundation, as well as partners, funders, donors and volunteers of whom the Centre would never have achieved what they achieved today without their support.
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