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MALAYAN SUN BEAR

Borneo wildlife conservation project

KEY FACTS Population Trend: Decreasing ↓
IUCN Status: Vulnerable
Wild population estimates: Unknown

Scientific name: Helarctos malayanus

Size: upto 1.5m long

Found in: Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia.

Habitat: Tropical forest, shrublands, artificial/terrestrial

Diet: Fruits, nuts, berries, insects, honey

Average number of cubs: one

Average Life-expectancy in the wild: up to 25 years

Did you know?
The Malayan Sun Bear does not hibernate and can mate all year round.

DESCRIPTION

The Malayan sun bear, or the sun bear, is the smallest member of the bear family. They are easily distinguishable by their bib-shaped golden or white patch on their chest. These adorable bears are the least studied of all 8 existing bear species. Maybe this is due to their shy nature and the type of habitat they reside in – remote, dense, lowland forests of Southeast Asia.

Sun bears are primarily nocturnal, but daytime activity has been observed in this species. Usually, they scour the forest looking for berries, figs, other varieties of fruits, and insects—especially beetles, termites, and ants. Even so, it’s high up in the trees that they excel, using their long, curved claws for climbing with ease and speed and a long, slender tongue for extracting honey from bee nests. Hence, their nickname is “honey bear”. Like many other species, the sun bear currently faces multiple threats on a regional and national level: habitat loss, population fragmentation, illegal hunting, and trading for traditional medicine and delicacies.

For further reading, check out the pioneers of sun bear conservation in Sabah and explore the challenges facing Malaysia’s endangered wildlife.

BEAR VOLUNTEERING AND INTERNSHIPS

VOLUNTEER WITH SUN BEARS

bear volunteering

SUN BEAR REHAB BORNEO

Join us in bringing the adorable but endangered Bornean Sun Bear back to the wild!

bear volunteering

THAILAND ANIMAL RESCUE

Volunteer at the wildlife rescue centre in Thailand, caring for sun bears, elephants, and many more!

INTERNSHIPS WITH BEARS

Learning conservation and animal care

WILDLIFE RESCUE ASSISTANT

Gain hands-on experience by working with animal keepers at this leading wildlife rescue centre in Java

BORNEO ECO-HOLIDAYS

BORNEO SEPILOK & KINABATANGAN

Visit the world famous orangutan centre in Sepilok and cruise the Kinabatangan river to view iconic wild animals

BORNEO RAINFOREST TREKKING

Explore Tawau Hills rainforest to seek out majestic wildlife and support reforestation

Bear volunteering and internships:

Help us save wildlife and their habitats!

Malaysian Wildlife is a programme by Biodiversity Business, a non-profit organisation. We’re working to protect endangered animals in Asia. We do this by supporting local conservation projects through eco-tourism, volunteer opportunities, and education.

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