Learning and Volunteering at BSBCC 🐻 Text by Wafeq Mu’izzadin (UPM Intern)

Greetings,

My name is Wafeq Mu’izzadin, a 3rd year student of Veterinary Medicine from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.

I learnt about BSBCC back in May 2023 during my 1st year of Veterinary School where I came to assist my lecturer to conduct research on the Bornean Sun Bear as I’m a local from Kinabatangan which is about 35 miles from Sepilok where the BSBCC are located. From here, I’m eager to learn more about the Bornean Sun Bear including its habitat, behavior, diet, and conservation status and also the importance of conserving them. At that moment, I started to plan my intention to conduct my wildlife internship where I also can volunteer to support the conservation effort for the Bornean Sun Bear later during my 3rd year, and now here I am with my friends that I manage to persuade to join me here.😆

Being a volunteer here for 2 weeks, although we carried out basic tasks such as cleaning the bear house, working in the kitchen preparing foods for the bears, fence checking, preparing the enrichment for the bears and others daily routine, but I do believe every routine here contributes significantly towards the sun bears rehabilitation and also their welfare. Every action here has a meaningful purpose, and the people are very friendly, welcoming, helpful, and funny, which makes the experience even more rewarding.

I learn much more about sun bears in BSBCC. Dr Wong and all of their staff are very kind to share the knowledge and encourage us to ask more questions along with volunteering. Every sharing session here is very fruitful with Dr. Wong, Miss Jacq (Bear care officer) and also Dr. Yeoh (BSBCC Veterinarian).

We also participated in dental checkups and treatments for the sun bears. The team included Dr. Cedric Tutt, Dr. Serena Oh, Dr. Nabila Sarkawi, Dr. Yeoh Boon Nie, and staff from BSBCC and the Sabah Wildlife Department.

During our volunteer work, we were tasked with creating enrichment for the bears. My buddy Izlan and I came up with the idea and built one called 'Dig-the-box' for a bear named Kwong. It was truly heartwarming to see Kwong enjoy the enrichment I created

Overall, volunteering at BSBCC is physically demanding and requires hard work, but it is also an incredibly rewarding experience. I have gained valuable knowledge about wildlife conservation, particularly the Bornean Sun Bear. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone at BSBCC for their warm welcome and for guiding us throughout our volunteering. I hope this experience inspires others to recognize the important role we all play in preserving and protecting our natural resources.

 "Only if we understand, can we care. Only if we care, we will help. Only if we help, we shall be saved." - Dr. Jane Goodall