🐻2024: A Year of Milestones for Bornean Sun Bear Conservation🐻

2024 is shaping up to be a year of significant milestones, with a series of exciting and history-making events in the conservation of Bornean sun bears.

One of the standout achievements is the realization of the long-discussed soft rehabilitation project by the Tabin Sun Bear Project (TSBP). Early this year, the project began with the in-situ soft rehabilitation of a sun bear cub named Tenom. This process aims to simulate the natural mother-cub relationship, with keepers acting as surrogate mothers, caring for Tenom in a forest environment. This approach helps her develop essential survival skills and gradually become independent, fully weaning off human care. The project is expected to take several years to complete, requiring substantial financial and human resources. However, the rewards are clear, as Tenom grows stronger and more fit in her natural habitat. At nearly two years old, Tenom’s full independence may take another year or two, and we hope she will continue to grow into a confident and competent bear in 2025. This pilot project at the BSBCC is a significant step forward, and we are grateful for the progress made so far.

Another groundbreaking success for sun bear conservation in Malaysia this year was the successful completion of ocular microsurgeries on four sun bears. As captive sun bears tend to live longer than their wild counterparts, they are often more susceptible to age-related health issues like cataracts. This year, four sun bears at BSBCC were diagnosed with cataracts, and the surgeries to correct their vision were carried out with great success. This achievement is a testament to BSBCC's capacity to carry out advanced veterinary procedures and our commitment to providing high-quality care for the bears. This accomplishment was made possible through the collaborative efforts of local specialists from both veterinary and human healthcare sectors, including Dr. Nadzariah Cheng, Dr. Chiang Wai Seng, Dr. Wai Yong Zheng, Dr. Nurhayati Abdul Kadir, Ms. Fatimah, Ms. Hidayah, Dr. Jessie Ho, Mr. Kok Soon Huat, and his wife. Together, we made this milestone possible.

Beyond eye care, BSBCC has continued to strengthen partnerships with experts to advance overall sun bear health and research. We are deeply grateful for the support of Dr. Cedric Tutt and Dr. Anthony Leong, who have assisted with dental and cardiac care for the bears. We also extend our gratitude to the many researchers from different universities, including UPM, UNIMAS, UMK, the University of Sunshine Coast, and Sunway University. Their research is invaluable and plays a crucial role in advancing our understanding of this species. Every contribution, no matter how small, enhances the bigger picture of conservation efforts.

This year, BSBCC published several important papers critical to sun bear conservation. Among these publications are a report on the successful hard release of 12 sun bears and a study detailing the hand-rearing of a sun bear named Luna. These papers are meaningful, that we share our experiences and the knowledge we’ve gained beyond BSBCC, contributing to the wider conservation community.

Another highlight of the year was the outreach program attended by the BSBCC bear care team to Lok Kawi Wildlife Park and Matang Wildlife Centre. We were invited to assist with a keeper training course at Lok Kawi Wildlife Park and a sun bear health care program at Matang Wildlife Centre These invitations were an important recognition of the expertise of BSBCC's bear care team in the field of sun bear conservation.

However, this year also brought a heartbreaking loss with the sudden death of Kukuton, which highlighted the potential threat of heart disease in sun bears. Shortly after this loss, BSBCC received a rescued sun bear cub named Pitang, approximately six months old. Pitang’s story mirrors that of other rescued cubs—she was found alone, likely orphaned by poachers, and surrendered to the Sabah Wildlife Department. This incident underscores the ongoing human-wildlife conflict and the importance of addressing the root causes of such tragedies.

Finally, kudos to the bear care team, TSBP team and everyone in BSBCC. The challenges faced this year have been significant, but the team's dedication and perseverance have led to many successes. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to all the supporters and donors who have placed their trust in us and supported our efforts in every way possible.

Looking ahead to 2025, we hope that no more sun bears are taken from the wild due to human greed, that we can successfully reintroduce more bears back into their natural habitats, and that the current captive population continues to live healthy and happy lives.

For a healthier planet, where all creatures can thrive.🌍