Today, we celebrate Mary and another year since she was
rescued. 
If you know Mary, you will know that she is a little
different from the other bears.
Because Mary was kept as a pet during her critical
developmental years, she picked up many human-like behaviors, such as sitting
upright and taking slow, leisurely walks, instead of having the opportunity to
learn some of the natural behaviours she would normally develop alongside her
mother. For a young sun bear, these early years are an important time for
learning how to climb trees, forage for food, explore the forest and respond to
her surroundings.
This is one of the challenges faced by wildlife that has
been raised by people. Without the opportunity to learn from their mothers,
some rescued animals may develop behaviors that are very different from those
of their wild counterparts.
But that is also what makes Mary, Mary.
At mealtimes, she is well known for being a little lazy.
While the other bears may rush towards their food, Mary often prefers to sit
and wait, reaching out for whichever piece happens to be closest to her. When
she is not waiting for food, she can usually be found resting under the shade
of a tree, taking her time to explore her surroundings.
Over the years, Mary has also had the opportunity to spend
time with other sun bears, including Dodop, Noah, Nano, Chin and Panda. Being
around other bears has given her opportunities to observe and take part in
behaviors that she may not have had the chance to learn when she was young.
These days, Mary spends her time at Pen E with Dodop. She
may not be the most enthusiastic tree climber, but she enjoys exploring the
forest enclosure and spending time around her companion. She can sometimes be a
little grumpy with her playmate, but she still seems to enjoy having another
bear around.
Mary is at her most relaxed when she is out in the forest.
She takes her time exploring fallen logs, sniffing around and investigating
whatever catches her attention. Sometimes, she will even pick up a long branch
and carry it around her enclosure. We are never quite sure what she has in
mind, but that is just another one of Mary’s little quirks.
Inside the Bear House, she is just as comfortable doing
things her own way. She spends much of her time sleeping in her basket,
resting, or quietly observing her keepers.
Mary is also sometimes seen suckling on her feet. Suckling
is an important behavior for young sun bears, providing both nutrition and
comfort during their early development. While Mary has long since grown up, she
has retained this behaviour into adulthood, and it may serve as a familiar form
of comfort and self-soothing for her.
For many rescued sun bears at the Centre, losing their
mothers at a very young age means growing up without the maternal care and
guidance they would normally receive. Some may retain comfort-seeking behaviors
into adulthood, reminding us that the effects of early separation can continue
long after they have been rescued.
From a cub who lost her mother and was kept as a pet, Mary
has come a long way.
Her journey has never been about changing who she is.
Instead, it has been about giving her the time, space and opportunity to
develop and express the behaviors that are important to a sun bear — exploring
the forest, investigating fallen logs, spending time with other bears, and
simply being curious about the world around her.
And perhaps most importantly, it has been about allowing
Mary to do all of this at her own pace.
So today, the cake is for Mary. 
She may not understand what all the celebration is about,
but we hope she enjoys her special day in the way Mary knows best — taking
things slow, exploring at her own pace, resting when she feels like it, and, of
course, waiting patiently for the nearest piece of food.
Happy Rescue Anniversary, Mary.
Here’s to many more years of digging, exploring, resting,
carrying branches, making friends, and simply being Mary.
