Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre - Our Stories

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Bornean Sun bear conservation centre

Total amount committed: RM3.5 million
Total duration: Feb 2012 - Feb 2017

The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) was established in 2008 to provide care and rehabilitation for rescued Bornean sun bears and to raise awareness both locally and internationally.

BSBCC is a collaborative project between SDF, Sabah Wildlife Department, Sabah Forestry Department and the Land Empowerment Animals People (LEAP), an NGO based in Sabah.

SDF is the biggest funder to date with a support of RM3.5 million for the operations of the Centre. This funding has been and will continue to be used to care for ex-captive and orphaned sun bears in Sabah and promote conservation efforts of the species.

The funding has also enabled the construction of the Second Forest Enclosure and Perimeter Walkway which aims to facilitate the reintroduction of sun bears into their original habitat.

The Second Observation Platform and Aerial Walkway built to cater to the high volume of visitors were officially launched in May 2016.

One of the aims of BSBCC is to educate the public on the plight of sun bears and to date, more than 135,000 visitors from more than 30 countries have visited BSBCC since its opening in January 2014. This has made it an important ecotourism destination in Sabah.

BSBCC has rescued a total of 50 sun bears, 40 of which are currently residing at the Centre. One bear, Natalie, has been released into the wild while nine other sun bears have died over the years due to various reasons such as diseases and being attacked by snakes.

On July 25, 2016, the second female sun bear Lawa, was reintroduced back into the wild after the rehabilitation program at BSBCC and she is currently being monitored.

The Centre is also one of a kind that seamlessly combines both conservation and ecotourism together, providing benefits for wildlife, environment and local communities.

Ecotourism is the third most important industry in Sabah and BSBCC’s efforts in conservation ecotourism has provided benefits for the local people while encouraging environmental protection.

BSBCC is currently looking at launching the Tabin Sun Bear Project at Tabin Wildlife Reserve which will serve as a rehabilitation centre. BSBCC will also be conducting a study on the wild sun bear population and ecology, specifically researching on population density and other aspects crucial to the survival of wild sun bears.

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