KOTA KINABALU: Nobody is prouder to see the Malayan sun bear being chosen as the official mascot for Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) than conservationist Dr Wong Siew Te, who has spent decades fighting to protect the species.
As the founder of the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) – the only facility of its kind in the world – he hopes this will spark greater awareness of and support for the world’s smallest and least known bear species.
“This is a huge step forward. Sun bears have always been overshadowed by other wildlife, and many people don’t even know they exist.
“Having them as the mascot for VM2026 means more people will finally learn about them and the threats they face,” he said.
Unveiled this year, the Malayan sun bears – Wira and Manja – are fronting the VM2026 campaign in a move widely welcomed by conservationists.
Wong, a wildlife biologist, has dedicated more than 30 years to the study and protection of sun bears.
He founded the BSBCC in Sepilok, Sandakan, in 2008 in collaboration with the Sabah Wildlife Department and Sabah Forestry Department.
The centre rescues and rehabilitates sun bears while educating the public about their role in the ecosystem.
Over the years, more than 70 sun bears have been rescued, with each undergoing extensive rehabilitation before being assessed for release.
The BSBCC currently houses 40 rescued sun bears, many of which were orphaned or kept illegally as pets. Since its inception, the centre has rehabilitated and released 12 bears back into the wild.
“These bears belong in the wild, not in captivity. But habitat destruction, poaching and the illegal pet trade continue to threaten their survival,” Wong said.
“This campaign could help shed light on these issues and encourage stronger protection for the species.”
Sun bears, found across South-East Asia, are listed as a vulnerable species under the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List.
They are also fully protected under Malaysia’s wildlife laws, making it illegal to hunt, capture or keep them as pets.
Beyond conservation, Wong believes the VM2026 campaign could also boost Sabah’s ecotourism sector, as more visitors may be drawn to the state to learn about sun bears at the BSBCC.
Visitor data over the past decade shows a clear link between ecotourism and conservation funding.
In 2019, before the pandemic, visitor numbers peaked at over 84,000, but the numbers plummeted to just 18,281 in 2020. Since reopening, visitor numbers have been steadily recovering, with 79,362 recorded in 2024.
“The return of tourists is crucial to sustaining conservation efforts, as ticket sales and visitor contributions help fund the care, rehabilitation and eventual release of rescued sun bears.
“I hope the exposure from VM2026 will further drive ecotourism, ensuring the centre has the resources to continue protecting Malaysia’s only bear species,” said Wong, thanking Tourism Malaysia for selecting the sun bear as mascot.
“The scientific name of the Malayan sun bear is Helarctos malayanus – ‘Hela’ means sun, ‘arctos’ means bear, and ‘malayanus’ signifies its origin in Malaya.
“More than 200 years ago, the first sun bear identified by scientists was found in Malaya. This species has always been part of our natural heritage,” he noted.
