10/8/24

Veterinary Insights: Eye and Heart Examination of Bornean Sun Bears

Veterinary Insights: Eye and Heart Examination of Bornean Sun Bears

The sun bear is the least studied bear species globally, with many aspects of their medical baseline data still unknown. Their distinct differences from domestic species, such as dogs, make their care and study particularly fascinating.

Last week, we completed a notable project involving electroretinography (ERG) and echocardiography for sun bears. This work was part of the health assessment focusing on the eyes and heart, especially for seven older sun bears who may have age-related pathologies.

Echocardiography, or an echo test, employs ultrasound waves to create detailed images of the heart. This method assesses the heart's structure and function, identifies abnormalities, and monitors overall heart health. Older animals, particularly captive wildlife, heart diseases are often underdiagnosed. We are pleased to report that none of the bears we examined showed signs of heart disease.

ERG is a diagnostic test that evaluates the electrical responses of the eye’s light-sensitive cells—rods and cones—to light stimuli. This test is crucial for diagnosing retinal functionality, particularly in cases of chronic cataractous eyes.

We are grateful to the many local specialists who support BSBCC in our wildlife health initiatives. Dr. Nadzariah Cheng (Animed Veterinary Centre), Dr. Anthony Leong ( Shinzō VetCardio), Dr. Chiang and his ophthalmology team (Hospital Duchess of Kent) are generously share their expertise in caring for the sun bears. We are also thankful to Mindray and Dr. Jessie Ho (Jesselton Animal Clinic) for lending us their ultrasound equipment and Vcheck Analyzer, which were instrumental in making this health assessment feasible.

Kudos to everyone involved in this important work for the health of the bears!👏🐻Each piece of knowledge gained from these examinations enhances our baseline data, aiding in the broader conservation and healthcare of this amazing species.

 









10/4/24

Outreach to SK. Balaban Jaya and ALC Ladang Sijas (30 September 2024)

First and foremost, we would love to thank KLK Sawit Nusantara Berhad for inviting us to an outreach programme at SK Balaban Jaya and ALC Sijas in the district of Beluran. This programme with the cooperation of Sabah Wildlife Department is a continuation of the previous programme at SK Ulu Ansuan and ALC Ladang Meliau to expose the students in primary schools and the estate educational institutes on the palm oil industry in Sabah, the conservation of wildlife, plus to instill love and to correct the prevalent negative perception toward wildlife.

The whole programme’s activities were done according to the level of the attending students, for the upper primary, they attended talks from the KLK Sawit Nusantara, Sabah Wildlife Department and BSBCC whilst the younger students attended interactive activities such as wildlife mask coloring, in which preceded with brief explanation to each wildlife featured as masks to the students. After they finished their activities, they were allowed to visit our exhibition booths and yes, these adorable kids filled with curiousity and enthusiasm is one of the reasons why we here really love doing educational programme to schools. Of course, this kind of programme involves LOTS OF TALKINGS to the young ones and can be very exhausting (for our vocal cords, to be exact), but in the end of the programme, it was really a satisfying moment for us to do all these works.

To the organisers and our partners, till we meet again in the next programme in the future!

































Tadika Kemas Sepilok visit (30 September 2024)

Nature adventures and happy faces. 🌿🌞 A day full of exploration and learning.

Thank you to Tadika Kemas Sepilok, Sandakan for visiting us! We hope you had a fantastic time and take home wonderful memories from your experience!




Vision School Sandakan Open Day (28 September 2024)

We are here at the Vision School Sandakan Open Day!  A very exciting day for the students and teachers of the school to showcase their school projects of various subjects taught in the school.

BSBCC is glad to be at this event here today to share information about sun bears. There is also a fundraising drive going on at the Chinese subject booth to support sun bears at BSBCC!