Rescue No. 72 – Wira the Sun Bear

Two days after Manja, the sun bear cub, arrived at @bsbcc, the Sabah Wildlife Department sent another rescued sun bear, Wira, to the centre this afternoon. Wira is a six-year-old male sun bear who was surrendered to the Sabah Wildlife Department in November 2023 as a three-year-old subadult. 

We strongly believe he was captured during the lockdown in 2020, when many people lost their jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic, and later surrendered to the authorities. 

Wira marks the 72nd rescued sun bear housed at the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre. Currently, BSBCC is caring for 43 rescued sun bears at our centre and two more sun bears at Tabin Wildlife Reserve under the Tabin Sun Bear Project. Please consider adopting our sun bears and do your best to support us in helping take care of these bears!

Rescue No. 71 – Little “Manja” the Sun Bear

Rescue No. 71 – Little “Manja”

On 8th February 2026, a small, fragile life was found. Meet Manja, an estimated three-month-old female sun bear cub weighing 2.2 kg, rescued after being spotted alone in a palm oil plantation near a river. The plantation worker who found her immediately informed the management officer after noticing the cub lying weak, possibly separated from her mother. With no signs of the mother nearby, the management team quickly contacted the Sabah Wildlife Department for assistance. While waiting for help to arrive, the staff provided milk to Manja every two hours to keep her nourished and stable.

The following day, 9th February 2026, Manja was brought to BSBCC for care. She was weak and dehydrated, with a small scratch wound on her hind leg and a bluish, cloudy left eye. Our veterinary team took immediate action to stabilize her fragile condition and provide the urgent care she needed. Manja is now under close supervision by her keepers, who are supporting her around the clock. She is drinking her milk well and is slightly more active compared to when she first arrived. She is still slightly dull but responsive, occasionally standing with her head tilted down. Our dedicated team will continue focusing on her recovery and nurturing her back to full health.

We named this cub “Manja”, after the female sun bear mascot of Visit Malaysia 2026. Just like her name, she embodies warmth, gentleness, and care. Her journey has just begun, and every tiny step forward is a celebration of hope, resilience, and the promise of a brighter future.

 

Visit from Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) and Sabah Forestry Department (SFD)

We were delighted to welcome representatives from Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) and Sabah Forestry Department (SFD). Our CEO and Founder, Dr. Wong Siew Te, led a guided tour, sharing insights into sun bear conservation, our ongoing work, and the importance of protecting forest habitats.

Thank you for your visit and continued support for wildlife conservation.

 

6th - 8th Feb 2026 Wildlife Conservation Education Camp

Wildlife Conservation Education Camp 2026

BSBCC successfully organised our first Wildlife Conservation Education Camp in collaboration with Sandakan Vocational College 2 (KVS2). A total of 27 Diploma in Tourism students and 7 lecturers, including Mdm. Christine Stanislaus Kinsik, Director of KVS2, participated in this meaningful learning experience.

Throughout the programme, participants gained valuable exposure to the work of governmental and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in protecting wildlife species and their rainforest habitats. The programme also introduced students to eco-tourism activities in the Sepilok area, highlighting how sustainable tourism plays a vital role in supporting conservation initiatives.

Special thanks to the Australian High Commissioner Malaysia for generously sponsoring this programme. We also extend our heartfelt appreciation to our conservation partners—Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, Orangutan Appeal UK, Rainforest Discovery Centre, and Sandakan Borneo Bird Club—for their support and collaboration in making this programme a success.