Students, teachers celebrate International Sun Bear Day in Sepilok
Published on: Thursday, May 18, 2023
Wong and Sun Bear mascot at the event.
SANDAKAN: Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) Sandakan celebrated the International Sun Bear Day 2023 at the centre in Sepilok, Mile 14, here, Tuesday.This year’s theme “Love Sun Bear, Our National Treasure”.
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Founder of BSBCC, Dr Wong Siew Te, said the Centre hoped this programme would also encourage all nations to appreciate the sun bear species in their respective countries, as sun bears play important roles in our forest ecosystem.
About 50 students and teachers from local schools SJK (C) Ming Chung, SKJ (C) Yuk Choi and SK Bambangan here were present at the centre to celebrate the event.
Activities in store for these students include a mini explorace and sun bear themed drama competition among the programme provided.
Prior to the celebration, there were photography contests, storytelling contests and online quizzes open for both local and international audiences.
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Visitors to the centre also participated in a Sun Bear Challenge activity which promotes better understanding on sun bears’ ecology and behaviour.
Sun bears, the smallest among the eight living bear species in the world is listed as Totally Protected species in Sabah under the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997.
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Despite its protection status, the species is continually being poached for their body parts such as paws, claws and gallbladders, whereas sun bear cubs are traded or kept as exotic pets.
The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre is currently home to 42 sun bears rescued from pets and mini zoos across Sabah.
The Centre is providing a second chance for these bears to return to the wild through a rehabilitation programme, apart from providing care and improved long term living environment for ex-pet sun bears that cannot be released.
Since the Centre was established in 2008, a total of 66 sun bears were rescued and 12 individuals were reintroduced back to the wild including one released in February 2023.
At the event, Wong also cut the cake with others since May 16 is also Wong’s birthday.
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