Bangkuai (middle) with Sabah Wildlife Department deputy director Roland Oliver Niun (left) and Loo during the launch of the Save Our Sun Bear Campaign by Bask Bear Coffee.
KOTA KINABALU: Datuk Joniston Bangkuai has encouraged private enterprises to consider “adopting” sun bears which will help to contribute towards the scientific research of this wildlife, one of the totally protected species in Sabah.
The Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Assistant Minister said such efforts would support comprehensive care necessary for their well-being, and companies would stand to gain not only positive brand image for their environmental commitment, but also the satisfaction of making a tangible impact.
Joniston said this during the Save Our Sun Bear Campaign launch initiated by coffee chain Bask Bear Coffee here recently, where the public could scan a DuitNow code at their outlets across Sabah and contribute directly to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) in Sandakan.
"The fact that Sabah, Malaysia is home to the BSBCC - the only such facility in the world - speaks volumes about the importance of keeping in mind the risk of losing our iconic wildlife and taking action to protect these bears in whatever ways we can.
"While it is estimated that there are about 2,500 sun bears left in the wild, it is uncertain exactly how many remain.
"What is definite is that the BSBCC cares for 42 sun bears that have been rescued from poachers and people who keep them as pets.
"These bears are rescued by our enforcement team from the Sabah Wildlife Department.
"So efforts like this campaign resonates not only with our environmental conscience but also presents a remarkable opportunity for private enterprises," he said.
Joniston noted that Bask Bear Coffee previously sponsored an orphaned Bornean sun bear cub called Tenom, rescued by wildlife rangers two months ago and transferred to the conservation centre.
"I would like to congratulate them for adopting Tenom and for their ongoing efforts to adopt a second bear.
"The Sabah government values the contributions of the business sector to the Sabah Wildlife Department's conservation initiatives.
"Your campaign will enable not just BSBCC but also the Sabah Wildlife Department to set realistic actionable goals for sun bear recovery.
"Furthermore, this initiative aligns seamlessly with the Sabah government's vision for conservation-driven tourism," Joniston added.
Loob Holding Sdn Bhd - which owned Bask Bear Coffee brand - founder and chief executive officer Bryan Loo said previously, they entered a sponsorship deal with BSBCC to adopt three-month-old Tenom for a year as the BSBCC staff try to rehabilitate and prepare it for eventual return to the forest.
