Borneo Post, 6th July 2018
By Safrah Mat Salleh
7/18/18
Two years jail and RM 50,000 fine for having sun bear's body parts
7/7/2018
Borneo Post, 6th July 2018
By Safrah Mat Salleh
Borneo Post, 6th July 2018
By Safrah Mat Salleh
My First Time in Borneo, But Not The Last
6/7/2018
Text by Sofia Lundegårdh
Photos by Chiew Lin May & Seng Yen Wah
My name is Sofia Lundegårdh, I am 18 and from Sweden. For my entire life I have known that I want to work with animals, which is why I chose to study animal care and am now in the final year of my 3 year education. It was only recently that I found more interest in animal rehabilitation, so when I got the opportunity to volunteer at the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre thanks to a scholarship from my school I was so happy I almost could not believe it. Therefore, as part of the internship that is included in my education, I travelled to Borneo for 5 weeks together with my classmate Jonas.
It was my first time ever going to Asia and working in such a warm and humid climate, which took some time to get used to after coming directly from the snow in Sweden. Sometimes it got tough, but the staff was great at making sure that were okay and considerate when you needed breaks. In the end, knowing that what I did was to help the bears made all the work very rewarding.
The daily routines at the BSBCC consisted of cleaning cages and preparing food for the bears which was given to them both inside the bear house as well as the outside forest enclosures. One of my favourite things to do, however, was making enrichments. Every day all the bears had to be stimulated to keep them entertained and encourage their natural behaviours to help them learn about the forest. Enrichments were usually made out of whatever materials we had available such as leaves, sticks and fire hoses and filled with hidden treats like peanut butter or honey. But we also got the chance to test our creativity and make something bigger and more advance, in my case a hammock and a ramp! Later watching the bears play with whatever you gave them always made me happy, but I also began noticing the different behaviours and characteristics between individuals. Before I came here I did not know much about sun bears, but their charming and unique personalities made them the most wonderful animal that I have ever worked with. It saddens me deeply that their backgrounds are filled with so much trauma caused by humans after having been kept as pets under horrible conditions.
As I slowly got to know the bears, I also got to know the staff of the centre. Everyone has been so friendly, welcoming and helpful from the very start, and working next to them has taught me a lot about animal rehabilitation as well as given me insight into the operation of the work place. I also found it incredibly inspiring to see how passionate, dedicated and caring for the bears all the keepers are.
I really do not want to go home yet, but these 5 weeks have gone by way too fast. I am so grateful for my school sending me here, as this experience has been one of the best things I have ever done in my life, and though I am sad to leave I also made so many great memories. To the staff of BSBCC, thank you all so incredibly much for everything you do for the bears and for everything you did for me during these 5 weeks. I am already planning my next visit here, as I definitely want to come back in the nearest possible future!
Lastly, I would like to share a quote from Jane Goodall that I was shown by Dr Wong. It has meant a lot to me during my time here and will continue to inspire me for the rest of my life, so I hope that it might do the same for anyone else who reads this: “Only if we understand, can we care. Only if we care, will we help. Only if we help, shall they be saved.”
Text by Sofia Lundegårdh
Photos by Chiew Lin May & Seng Yen Wah
My name is Sofia Lundegårdh, I am 18 and from Sweden. For my entire life I have known that I want to work with animals, which is why I chose to study animal care and am now in the final year of my 3 year education. It was only recently that I found more interest in animal rehabilitation, so when I got the opportunity to volunteer at the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre thanks to a scholarship from my school I was so happy I almost could not believe it. Therefore, as part of the internship that is included in my education, I travelled to Borneo for 5 weeks together with my classmate Jonas.
It was my first time ever going to Asia and working in such a warm and humid climate, which took some time to get used to after coming directly from the snow in Sweden. Sometimes it got tough, but the staff was great at making sure that were okay and considerate when you needed breaks. In the end, knowing that what I did was to help the bears made all the work very rewarding.
The daily routines at the BSBCC consisted of cleaning cages and preparing food for the bears which was given to them both inside the bear house as well as the outside forest enclosures. One of my favourite things to do, however, was making enrichments. Every day all the bears had to be stimulated to keep them entertained and encourage their natural behaviours to help them learn about the forest. Enrichments were usually made out of whatever materials we had available such as leaves, sticks and fire hoses and filled with hidden treats like peanut butter or honey. But we also got the chance to test our creativity and make something bigger and more advance, in my case a hammock and a ramp! Later watching the bears play with whatever you gave them always made me happy, but I also began noticing the different behaviours and characteristics between individuals. Before I came here I did not know much about sun bears, but their charming and unique personalities made them the most wonderful animal that I have ever worked with. It saddens me deeply that their backgrounds are filled with so much trauma caused by humans after having been kept as pets under horrible conditions.
As I slowly got to know the bears, I also got to know the staff of the centre. Everyone has been so friendly, welcoming and helpful from the very start, and working next to them has taught me a lot about animal rehabilitation as well as given me insight into the operation of the work place. I also found it incredibly inspiring to see how passionate, dedicated and caring for the bears all the keepers are.
I really do not want to go home yet, but these 5 weeks have gone by way too fast. I am so grateful for my school sending me here, as this experience has been one of the best things I have ever done in my life, and though I am sad to leave I also made so many great memories. To the staff of BSBCC, thank you all so incredibly much for everything you do for the bears and for everything you did for me during these 5 weeks. I am already planning my next visit here, as I definitely want to come back in the nearest possible future!
Lastly, I would like to share a quote from Jane Goodall that I was shown by Dr Wong. It has meant a lot to me during my time here and will continue to inspire me for the rest of my life, so I hope that it might do the same for anyone else who reads this: “Only if we understand, can we care. Only if we care, will we help. Only if we help, shall they be saved.”
BSBCC Sepilok anjur program Pendidikan dan Kesedaran Hidupan Liar Sabah
6/7/2018
Utusan Borneo (Sabah) Online, 6th July 2018
By Salman Abadi
PROGRAM Pendidikan dan Kesedaran Konservasi Hidupan Liar Sabah (Siri 1) 2018 anjuran Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) Sepilok bersamasama Jabatan Hidupan Liar (JHL) Sabah dan Hutan-Kinabatangan Orangutan Conservation Programme (KOCP) berlangsung dengan jayanya di Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Segaliud, Sandakan, Selasa lepas.
Pegawai Pendidikan Alam Sekitar BSBCC Risnayati Lammu yang juga ketua rombongan dan penyelaras program itu berkata, objektif program itu ialah berkongsi informasi atau maklumat mengenai hidupan liar yang terdapat di Sabah.
Katanya, ia juga bertujuan memberi pendedahan, pengetahuan dan pendidikan serta memupuk kesedaran dalam kalangan pelajar mengenai kepentingan memulihara dan melindungi hidupan liar.
Selain itu, ia juga dapat meningkatkan kesedaran masyarakat, khasnya golongan pelajar untuk bersama-sama membantu melindungi hidupan liar agar tidak mengalami kepupusan demi generasi akan datang.
Pelbagai aktiviti diadakan sempena program itu termasuklah taklimat pendidikan dan kesedaran tentang konservasi hidupan liar, pertandingan mewarna topeng hidupan liar, menonton tayangan video, kuiz dan juga pameran berkaitan hidupan liar.
Risnayati menjelaskan BSBCC merupakan sebuah badan bukan kerajaan (NGO) yang ditubuhkan oleh Dr Wong Siew Te pada tahun 2008 dengan kerjasama Jabatan Hidupan Liar Sabah, Jabatan Perhutanan Sabah dan Land Empowerment Animals People (LEAP).
BSBCC berperanan memulihara beruang madu bekas haiwan peliharaan supaya boleh berdikari dan kembali hidup di habitat asal. Pada masa kini katanya, terdapat 43 ekor beruang madu yang berada di bawah jagaan BSBCC.
Beruang madu merupakan spesies beruang yang terkecil di dunia dan populasinya semakin berkurangan disebabkan oleh aktiviti pemburuan haram, eksploitasi bahagian tubuh, kehilangan tempat tinggal dan dijadikan sebagai haiwan peliharaan.
“Oleh itu, salah satu matlamat utama BSBCC ialah memberikan kesedaran kepada orang ramai khususnya para pelajar mengenai kepentingan melindungi hidupan liar terutamanya beruang madu,” katanya.
Sempena program yang amat menarik dan julung kali diadakan di sekolah itu, pihak BSBCC menyampaikan beberapa taklimat iaitu pengenalan kepada hidupan liar di Sabah, pengenalan dan status perlindungan orang utan di Sabah serta pengenalan kepada harimau dahan dan juga beruang madu.
Selain taklimat sarat berinformasi yang disampaikan oleh Risnayati, aktiviti pameran hidupan liar yang diadakan dewan terbuka Datuk Shamsudin Yahya (mantan Adun Sekong) amat menarik perhatian pengunjung, khasnya dalam kalangan hampir 200 murid dan warga SK Segaliud, Sandakan.
Pelbagai rangka tulang haiwan hidupan liar yang tidak pernah dilihat sebelum ini dapat disaksikan sendiri melalui pameran itu.
Antaranya ialah rangka tengkorak dan tulang beruang madu, orang utan, gajah, penyu dan sebagainya. Turut dipamerkan ialah sampel makanan haiwan yang disimpan dalam balang kaca, pelbagai poster pendidikan dan kesedaran konservasi hidupan liar.
Risnayati berkata pihaknya menyasarkan untuk mengadakan program itu ke semua sekolah di Sabah secara berperingkat, tertakluk kepada keadaan masa dan kemampuan, namun sasaran awal buat masa ini ialah sekolahsekolah di sekitar daerah Sandakan.
Pihaknya telah mengadakan program serupa pada awal tahun ini dan pada Julai ini, pihaknya telah melaksanakan program pendidikan serta kesedaran konservasi hidupan liar itu di SMK Segaliud (2 Julai), SK Segaliud (3 Julai) dan SK Taman Rimba, Sandakan (4 Julai), manakala program di SK Gas, Sandakan (sepatutnya 5 Julai) terpaksa ditangguhkan kerana sekolah itu terlibat sebagai pusat penempatan sementara (PPS) mangsa kebakaran yang berlaku di kampung berkenaan, baru-baru ini.
Berucap pada majlis penangguhan program itu, Guru Besar SK Segaliud Abd Rait Othman merakamkan penghargaan dan terima kasih kepada pihak BSBCC, JHL dan juga pihak Hutan-KOCP.
Katanya, pihak sekolah amat menghargai usaha murni pihak berkenaan dalam menjayakan program itu yang ternyata amat baik dan bermanfaat dalam konteks pendidikan serta pemupukan kesedaran tentang hidupan liar di Sabah.
“Pendidikan adalah universal boleh diadakan dalam bilik darjah atau di luar bilik darjah,” katanya sambil menekankan bahawa pendidikan alam sekitar merujuk kepada pemuliharaan dan pemeliharaan fauna serta haiwan adalah menjurus kepada kehidupan lestari yang menjanjikan kehidupan lebih sempurna kepada generasi yang akan datang.
Menurutnya, sikap cintakan alam sekitar yang bersih dan menghargai hidupan liar mesti dipupuk seawal usia kanak-kanak di peringkat sekolah rendah lagi.
Beliau berharap agar program seumpamanya dapat diperluaskan dan terus diadakan pada masa akan datang kerana ia merupakan aspek pendidikan yang amat penting diberi pendedahan kepada masyarakat, khasnya para pelajar.
Abd Rait berkata, berdasarkan respon murid-murid dan warga sekolah, mereka ternyata sangat berminat dan pastinya mendapat banyak ilmu pengetahuan dan pengalaman baharu menerusi program itu.
Pihak sekolah turut berterima kasih kepada pihak BSBCC khasnya Risnayati dan seluruh ahli jawatankuasa (AJK) yang terlibat, sama ada di peringkat sekolah mahupun peringkat Pejabat Pendidikan Daerah (PPD) Sandakan yang sangat memberi kerjasama dan sentiasa menyokong apa juga program pembangunan pendidikan di sekolah.
Abd. Rait menyampaikan hadiah kepada para Abd. Rait menerima cenderamata
pemenang aktiviti hidupan liar. daripada wakil BSBCC.
Utusan Borneo (Sabah) Online, 6th July 2018
By Salman Abadi
PROGRAM Pendidikan dan Kesedaran Konservasi Hidupan Liar Sabah (Siri 1) 2018 anjuran Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) Sepilok bersamasama Jabatan Hidupan Liar (JHL) Sabah dan Hutan-Kinabatangan Orangutan Conservation Programme (KOCP) berlangsung dengan jayanya di Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Segaliud, Sandakan, Selasa lepas.
Pegawai Pendidikan Alam Sekitar BSBCC Risnayati Lammu yang juga ketua rombongan dan penyelaras program itu berkata, objektif program itu ialah berkongsi informasi atau maklumat mengenai hidupan liar yang terdapat di Sabah.
Katanya, ia juga bertujuan memberi pendedahan, pengetahuan dan pendidikan serta memupuk kesedaran dalam kalangan pelajar mengenai kepentingan memulihara dan melindungi hidupan liar.
Selain itu, ia juga dapat meningkatkan kesedaran masyarakat, khasnya golongan pelajar untuk bersama-sama membantu melindungi hidupan liar agar tidak mengalami kepupusan demi generasi akan datang.
Pelbagai aktiviti diadakan sempena program itu termasuklah taklimat pendidikan dan kesedaran tentang konservasi hidupan liar, pertandingan mewarna topeng hidupan liar, menonton tayangan video, kuiz dan juga pameran berkaitan hidupan liar.
Risnayati menjelaskan BSBCC merupakan sebuah badan bukan kerajaan (NGO) yang ditubuhkan oleh Dr Wong Siew Te pada tahun 2008 dengan kerjasama Jabatan Hidupan Liar Sabah, Jabatan Perhutanan Sabah dan Land Empowerment Animals People (LEAP).
BSBCC berperanan memulihara beruang madu bekas haiwan peliharaan supaya boleh berdikari dan kembali hidup di habitat asal. Pada masa kini katanya, terdapat 43 ekor beruang madu yang berada di bawah jagaan BSBCC.
Beruang madu merupakan spesies beruang yang terkecil di dunia dan populasinya semakin berkurangan disebabkan oleh aktiviti pemburuan haram, eksploitasi bahagian tubuh, kehilangan tempat tinggal dan dijadikan sebagai haiwan peliharaan.
“Oleh itu, salah satu matlamat utama BSBCC ialah memberikan kesedaran kepada orang ramai khususnya para pelajar mengenai kepentingan melindungi hidupan liar terutamanya beruang madu,” katanya.
Sempena program yang amat menarik dan julung kali diadakan di sekolah itu, pihak BSBCC menyampaikan beberapa taklimat iaitu pengenalan kepada hidupan liar di Sabah, pengenalan dan status perlindungan orang utan di Sabah serta pengenalan kepada harimau dahan dan juga beruang madu.
Selain taklimat sarat berinformasi yang disampaikan oleh Risnayati, aktiviti pameran hidupan liar yang diadakan dewan terbuka Datuk Shamsudin Yahya (mantan Adun Sekong) amat menarik perhatian pengunjung, khasnya dalam kalangan hampir 200 murid dan warga SK Segaliud, Sandakan.
Pelbagai rangka tulang haiwan hidupan liar yang tidak pernah dilihat sebelum ini dapat disaksikan sendiri melalui pameran itu.
Antaranya ialah rangka tengkorak dan tulang beruang madu, orang utan, gajah, penyu dan sebagainya. Turut dipamerkan ialah sampel makanan haiwan yang disimpan dalam balang kaca, pelbagai poster pendidikan dan kesedaran konservasi hidupan liar.
Risnayati berkata pihaknya menyasarkan untuk mengadakan program itu ke semua sekolah di Sabah secara berperingkat, tertakluk kepada keadaan masa dan kemampuan, namun sasaran awal buat masa ini ialah sekolahsekolah di sekitar daerah Sandakan.
Pihaknya telah mengadakan program serupa pada awal tahun ini dan pada Julai ini, pihaknya telah melaksanakan program pendidikan serta kesedaran konservasi hidupan liar itu di SMK Segaliud (2 Julai), SK Segaliud (3 Julai) dan SK Taman Rimba, Sandakan (4 Julai), manakala program di SK Gas, Sandakan (sepatutnya 5 Julai) terpaksa ditangguhkan kerana sekolah itu terlibat sebagai pusat penempatan sementara (PPS) mangsa kebakaran yang berlaku di kampung berkenaan, baru-baru ini.
Berucap pada majlis penangguhan program itu, Guru Besar SK Segaliud Abd Rait Othman merakamkan penghargaan dan terima kasih kepada pihak BSBCC, JHL dan juga pihak Hutan-KOCP.
Katanya, pihak sekolah amat menghargai usaha murni pihak berkenaan dalam menjayakan program itu yang ternyata amat baik dan bermanfaat dalam konteks pendidikan serta pemupukan kesedaran tentang hidupan liar di Sabah.
“Pendidikan adalah universal boleh diadakan dalam bilik darjah atau di luar bilik darjah,” katanya sambil menekankan bahawa pendidikan alam sekitar merujuk kepada pemuliharaan dan pemeliharaan fauna serta haiwan adalah menjurus kepada kehidupan lestari yang menjanjikan kehidupan lebih sempurna kepada generasi yang akan datang.
Menurutnya, sikap cintakan alam sekitar yang bersih dan menghargai hidupan liar mesti dipupuk seawal usia kanak-kanak di peringkat sekolah rendah lagi.
Beliau berharap agar program seumpamanya dapat diperluaskan dan terus diadakan pada masa akan datang kerana ia merupakan aspek pendidikan yang amat penting diberi pendedahan kepada masyarakat, khasnya para pelajar.
Abd Rait berkata, berdasarkan respon murid-murid dan warga sekolah, mereka ternyata sangat berminat dan pastinya mendapat banyak ilmu pengetahuan dan pengalaman baharu menerusi program itu.
Pihak sekolah turut berterima kasih kepada pihak BSBCC khasnya Risnayati dan seluruh ahli jawatankuasa (AJK) yang terlibat, sama ada di peringkat sekolah mahupun peringkat Pejabat Pendidikan Daerah (PPD) Sandakan yang sangat memberi kerjasama dan sentiasa menyokong apa juga program pembangunan pendidikan di sekolah.
Abd. Rait menyampaikan hadiah kepada para Abd. Rait menerima cenderamata
pemenang aktiviti hidupan liar. daripada wakil BSBCC.
Tamu Sepilok @ RDC
1/7/2018
BSBCC was also invited to set up a booth at Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC) for Tamu Sepilok from 7am to 3pm in the same month, which fell on the 5th of May 2018. It served as a platform for us to promote our centre and its conservation efforts to the public, besides raising awareness among booth visitors in protecting sun bears. Various activities were organized by RDC during the event, such as a blood donation drive, recycling, environmental awareness activities, exhibitions by travel and education agencies, and craft stalls. Thanks again for the invitation and to those who came to visit us at our booth!
BSBCC’s staff, Ms. Ernie Trimo explaining to the visitors about sun bears and our centre.
Our intern student, Ms. Jessamine Thong guiding the visitors with one of the activities at our booth for Tamu Sepilok RDC.
Another exhibition booth for the second Tamu Sepilok at RDC was also set up on 30th of June 2018, in conjunction of the World Environment Day 2018. The main theme for this event is #beatingplasticpollution. The event was also aimed to promote and raise awareness on the conservation of our nature with the main focus given on the seriousness of plastic pollution. Our booth organized some activities for the visitors such as colouring activity for the children, puzzle solving for both children and adult, and get photos taken at our photo booth.
BSBCC's staff, Mr. Abdul Rahim helping and guiding the children to solve the puzzle
Some of the visiting children also did not miss the chance to take some pictures!
BSBCC was also invited to set up a booth at Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC) for Tamu Sepilok from 7am to 3pm in the same month, which fell on the 5th of May 2018. It served as a platform for us to promote our centre and its conservation efforts to the public, besides raising awareness among booth visitors in protecting sun bears. Various activities were organized by RDC during the event, such as a blood donation drive, recycling, environmental awareness activities, exhibitions by travel and education agencies, and craft stalls. Thanks again for the invitation and to those who came to visit us at our booth!
BSBCC’s staff, Ms. Ernie Trimo explaining to the visitors about sun bears and our centre.
Our intern student, Ms. Jessamine Thong guiding the visitors with one of the activities at our booth for Tamu Sepilok RDC.
Another exhibition booth for the second Tamu Sepilok at RDC was also set up on 30th of June 2018, in conjunction of the World Environment Day 2018. The main theme for this event is #beatingplasticpollution. The event was also aimed to promote and raise awareness on the conservation of our nature with the main focus given on the seriousness of plastic pollution. Our booth organized some activities for the visitors such as colouring activity for the children, puzzle solving for both children and adult, and get photos taken at our photo booth.
BSBCC's staff, Mr. Abdul Rahim helping and guiding the children to solve the puzzle
Some of the visiting children also did not miss the chance to take some pictures!
How To Use Enrichment
27/6/2018
Text by Yu Endo
Photos by Yu Endo & Sumira Muis@APE Malaysia
My name is Yu Endo and I’m from Japan.
I volunteered at BSBCC for 4 weeks and learned many things about sun bears. I learnt alot about environmental enrichment, this is an account of what I learnt and how we thought of and ultimately used the enrichment at BSBCC.
I was surprised at how often we came up with new ideas for enrichment; we brainstormed different ideas for enrichment every single day. I was interested in using enrichment not only to reduce stress but also to enhance the sun bear’s natural behavior. For example in the photo the enrichment was designed so that the bear will rip apart the logs looking for peanut butter, this mimics behavior that the bear would have in the wild.
I also noticed how we used the enrichment differed depending on the individual. After observing the individuals behavior we tailor made the enrichment to suit its personal needs. After the enrichment was introduced we evaluated how effective it was by observing how the individuals interacted with it, this helped us to ensure that the enrichment was effective in achieving the desired behavior.
In addition to enrichment, I experienced a variety of things, talking with Mr. Wong, helping training the sun bears to return to the forest and so on. I really enjoyed observing the sun bears; they are very interesting and fun animals!
I’ m not good at English, but staffs at BSBCC helped me many time. Thank you very much! It was a very good experience for me. I hope to visit BSBCC again in the future.
Text by Yu Endo
Photos by Yu Endo & Sumira Muis@APE Malaysia
My name is Yu Endo and I’m from Japan.
I volunteered at BSBCC for 4 weeks and learned many things about sun bears. I learnt alot about environmental enrichment, this is an account of what I learnt and how we thought of and ultimately used the enrichment at BSBCC.
I was surprised at how often we came up with new ideas for enrichment; we brainstormed different ideas for enrichment every single day. I was interested in using enrichment not only to reduce stress but also to enhance the sun bear’s natural behavior. For example in the photo the enrichment was designed so that the bear will rip apart the logs looking for peanut butter, this mimics behavior that the bear would have in the wild.
I also noticed how we used the enrichment differed depending on the individual. After observing the individuals behavior we tailor made the enrichment to suit its personal needs. After the enrichment was introduced we evaluated how effective it was by observing how the individuals interacted with it, this helped us to ensure that the enrichment was effective in achieving the desired behavior.
In addition to enrichment, I experienced a variety of things, talking with Mr. Wong, helping training the sun bears to return to the forest and so on. I really enjoyed observing the sun bears; they are very interesting and fun animals!
I’ m not good at English, but staffs at BSBCC helped me many time. Thank you very much! It was a very good experience for me. I hope to visit BSBCC again in the future.
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