IN the dense rainforests of Sabah, every ringgit spent by tourists could mean the difference between survival and extinction for the world’s smallest bear species - the sun bear.
As the smallest of the world’s eight bear species, sun bears are vital to the health of tropical rainforests, acting as “forest doctors” and “engineers” by dispersing seeds and controlling insect populations.
Despite being classified as totally protected under Sabah’s Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997, sun bears remain threatened by habitat loss, poaching and the exotic pet trade.
The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) in Sepilok, Sandakan – a coastal district in eastern Sabah – is the only sun bear rehabilitation centre in the world, and has been at the forefront of efforts to rescue and rehabilitate these endangered animals.
Since its establishment in 2008, the BSBCC has rescued 70 sun bears, with 13 successfully released back into the wild. Two more are currently undergoing a “soft release” process in the forest.
BSBCC founder and wildlife biologist Dr Wong Siew Te said the centre’s operations cost around RM3.5mil a year, much of which is funded through eco-tourism.
Sabah; Students using spotting scopes and guidebooks while observing the bears.
“Tourism dollars are not just income – they are a lifeline for these bears. Every visitor who comes to see these animals is directly supporting their survival,” he said.
Among the visitors was Carl Heryet from the United Kingdom, who described the experience as eye-opening.
“It was fantastic. And it’s quite shocking to see how the bears are treated like any other wildlife in the world. It’s not just here. And it’s great to see that we’re trying to rebalance what humans have done and are doing,” he said.
“It is very good to see that they are not in an enclosed space like a zoo. This is far from a zoo. Learning about the rehab initiative, I thought that people from around the world should definitely see this.”
The BSBCC International Sun Bear Day is more than an annual event – it’s a chance to plant the seeds of empathy and awareness in the minds of the young.
On May 16, the centre welcomed 50 students and teachers from five Sandakan schools for a day of hands-on learning in Sepilok.
Wong says the centre has rescued 70 sun bears since its founding in 2008.
Through guided tours and enrichment activities, students were introduced not only to sun bears, but to the broader message of respecting and protecting wildlife.
The date marked a milestone in 2015, when BSBCC released its first rehabilitated sun bear, a female named Natalie, into the wild – a symbol of hope that inspired the creation of International Sun Bear Day.
“That moment showed us what’s possible - that rescued sun bears can return to the forest where they belong,” said Wong.
To expand the message beyond Sepilok, BSBCC also ran online contests and a pre-celebration on May 3 and 4, featuring activity booths by the centre, Sepilok Junior Rangers and Sandakan Vocational College.
“Teachers play such a crucial role in shaping how young people view our forests,” Wong added. “If we want lasting change, it has to begin with awareness – and with the next generation.”
