Today, our Environmental Education Unit and volunteers visited Sandakan Baptist Church Kindergarten to raise awareness about sun bears, particularly among children. The session featured an interactive talk on sun bears using Sunny the Sun Bear as a model, an interactive exhibition, and a mask colouring activity. Next week, the children will visit our Centre, and we are excited to welcome them.
On 15 Aug 2024, we were honored to receive a visit from H. E. Danielle Heinecke, High Commissioner to Malaysia.
The delegates were welcomed by our CEO & Founder, Dr.
Wong Siew Te. They were personally guided by Dr. Wong, with guided tour to view
the bears from our observation platform.
A big thank you to the Australian High Commission to
Malaysia for their visit and support!
Veterinary milestone: Visionary care in Bornean sun bear! 🐻
Mamatai, a 23-year-old female sun bear at the Bornean Sun
Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC), recently faced a significant eye health
challenge. Initially showing discomfort in her right eye, she was diagnosed
with acute anterior lens luxation, where the lens had displaced into the
anterior chamber, causing considerable intraocular pressure and discomfort.
Immediate surgical intervention was necessary to relieve her pain, with options
including lens extraction or enucleation.
We are grateful to Dr. Nadzariah Cheng, a veterinary
ophthalmologist from Kuala Lumpur who flew in to perform the eye-saving
surgery. Dr. Cheng successfully performed the delicate lens extraction surgery
after logistical preparations. During the procedure, it was discovered that
Mamatai's lens capsule had ruptured into the anterior chamber, requiring
careful extraction of both the lens and the capsule itself.
Post-surgery, Mamatai's recovery was closely monitored.
Although she experienced post-operative discomfort, such as scratching her
right eye, there were no severe complications like excessive inflammation or
infection. Remarkably, within 14 days, Mamatai's right eye had fully opened,
showcasing a swift and effective recovery.
Despite some corneal damage affecting her vision in the
right eye, the surgery was crucial in preserving her eyeball and managing the
condition effectively. Additionally, early signs of cataracts were noted in her
left eye, underlining the ongoing need for vigilance and potential future
interventions.
Mamatai's case not only highlights the advanced veterinary
care provided at BSBCC but also serves as a significant reference for cataract
extraction procedures in sun bears. This successful outcome underscores the
center's commitment to ensuring the welfare and health of its resident sun
bears, enhancing our understanding and treatment of eye conditions in these
remarkable animals.
Yesterday, BSBCC received a visit from a delegate led by Yang Berhormat Frankie Poon, the Sabah State Legislative Assembly Member of N46. Tanjong Papat Sandakan cum the Chairman of DAP Sabah. The delegate was including the officials from the Shaowu Municipal of People's Government of China, Vice Mayor Zhang Sheng. Although it was already late in the evening, the delegates personally guided by Dr Wong managed to see some of the bears plus sharing and exchanging information between the two sides. We are truly honored to receive the visit, thank you!
