Sunday, January 19, 2014

WORLD'S ONLY SUN BEAR CENTRE OPENS IN SANDAKAN, SABAH SO GO VISIT THE WORLD'S CUTEST BEARS NOW!

KEE@FSWMAG.COM
THE MALAYAN SUN BEAR IS SO FAMOUS AND RARE IT EVEN INCLUDES THE NAME OF OUR COUNTRY! OF COURSE BACK WHEN THE BEAR WAS NOTICED WE WERE MALAYA AND NOT MALAYSIA BUT THE NAME STUCK AND THE ANIMAL IS OFFICIALLY CALLED 'MALAYAN SUN BEAR' WHICH IS AN HONOUR TO US AS IT IS NOT 'SOUTHEAST ASIAN SUN BEAR'!

But the name of the centre is Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre since it is on Borneo island.

The sun bear is not as famous as its chinese cousin the panda but to me it is just as cute and cuddly. The Malayan Sun Bear only loses points on colour as the  panda comes in distinct black and white which give its eyes their unique and adorable patches!

I went to Chengdu Panda Centre in Sichuan, China and it was incredible. Now another memorable experience awaits at the world’s only sun bear centre has now opened in Sandakan, Sabah on Borneo island.

The centre wants raise awareness on the species and encourage research on the world’s smallest bear.



KOTA KINABALU: The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) opened its doors to the public in early January 2014, six years after the idea was first discussed, and is expected to raise awareness on the iconic species and encourage research on the world’s smallest bear.

Located next to the world renowned Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre in Sandakan, key facilities include an observation platform, boardwalk and visitor centre.

But the two bear houses that shelter 28 Sun bears are however not accessible to visitors yet.

Sabah Forestry Department director Sam Mannan, Sabah Wildlife Department director Dr Laurentius Ambu, Land Empowerment Animals People (LEAP) executive director and chief executive officer Cynthia Ong and BSBCC founder Wong Siew Te, jointly unveiled the centre’s logo at a soft opening attended by partners and donors.

The BSBCC, the first and only facility of its kind in the world, is a non-governmental organisation set up in 2008 through collaboration of the Sabah Forestry Department, Sabah Wildlife Department and LEAP.

Ong described the soft opening as a “landmark moment,” acknowledging the support of many people all over the world, and those who worked hard behind the scenes including at LEAP, to bring the centre to where it is today.

“Our inspiration comes from sincerity and purpose which in this case is all about the Sun bears.

“I sometimes see us in conservation being lured by heroism, funds and fame which indicates that we are losing the plot. (But) you will see that (here) all this is about the bears and the need for the centre because of the loss of their habitat,” she said.

In his speech, Mannan said he had agreed to the idea of the centre when Ong met with him six years ago to address the problem of bears being kept illegally in captivity, and space was then set aside for the purpose.

“I am impressed with what I have seen so far and my message is that we at the department have no monopoly over good ideas or resources. We appreciate the point of views that others have, as we do not know everything.

“We must also ensure that Sun bear habitats will be there in perpetuity. Failure to address this is why we have a centre now (to care for Sun bears),” Mannan said.

Threats to Sun bears
Habitat loss and poaching for parts used in traditional medicine are among key threats that have led to a decline by at least 30% of the Sun bear population in the last three decades.

Other threats include illegal capture for the pet trade and when they are killed when wrongly perceived as pests.

Found throughout mainland Asia, Sumatra in Indonesia and Borneo, the exact number of Sun bears in the wild is unknown, making it even more pressing to reduce pressure on a species that is classified as “vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List and at risk of becoming endangered unless circumstances threatening their survival improve.

Meanwhile, Ambu said the Wildlife Department will endeavour to increase enforcement efforts in clamping down on those who keep the species or trade its parts, stressing that no licences were issued for anyone to own Sun bears except for the BSBCC and the Lok Kawi Wildlife Park.

“Our department will also work tirelessly to ensure that Sun bears can be released back to the wild, subject to their adaptation to the habitat.

“It is also our hope that this centre will facilitate and catalyse research on Sun bears, and conduct outreach programmes to raise awareness on dangers of keeping this species in captivity,” Ambu said.

Sun bears are classified as a Totally Protected Species under the Sabah Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997, providing it the same status as the orang utan and Sumatran rhinoceros.

Meanwhile, Wong who is the first Malaysian to study Sun bears, thanked partners, supporters, funders and over a thousand volunteers who played a role in making the centre a reality.

“This is a good model for bringing all stakeholders together, to work side by side. Each one of you has had a role by doing what you do best.

“Now we can educate the public on the importance of Sun bears and the forest. Research and rehabilitation will come next as this is a long term project, and here to stay,” Wong said.

Last month FMT Borneo Plus, a sister portal Free Malaysia Today, launched its Save the Sun Bears Campaign in Sandakan. The campaign will run until April 10, 2014 and aims to help BSBCC raise funds to build a one kilometer long electric fence.

My kind-hearted readers can send their contributions to:

Account name: Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre Sdn Bhd

Account number: 10100001763051

CIMB Bank Berhad
SWIFT CODE: CIBBMYKL

Bank address: Block A3, Lot 11, Bandar Utama Sandakan, Jalan Utara, 6th Mile, 90000, Sandakan, Sabah

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