Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center
| Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center (BSBCC) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 |
|||
|
|||
| Location: | Malaysia | ||
| Next city: | Sandakan | ||
| Surface: | 2.5 ha | ||
| Founding: | 2008 | ||
 |
|||
The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center in Sepilok is a zoological facility for the protection and conservation of the sun bear ( Helarctos malayanus ). The facility is located in northern Borneo , about 25 kilometers west of Sandakan in the Malaysian state of Sabah . The BSBCC was founded in 2008 as a non-profit organization and is a joint project of the sun bear researcher Wong Siew Te , the organization for ecologically sustainable projects Land Empowerment Animals People (LEAP) , the Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) and the Sabah Forestry Department ( SFD).
The BSBCC is located in the immediate vicinity of the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center and shares infrastructural and veterinary facilities with this facility.
The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center sees itself as a facility for species protection and research. In addition, the population should be made aware of the species and its endangerment.
history
During his studies, the wildlife biologist Wong Siew Te had to watch several times how captive sun bears were kept under the most deplorable conditions. These experiences gave the impetus8 to set up an institution that would make the protection and reintegration of these bears its own.
“ In 2004 I was given the opportunity to conduct research on the sun bears that are kept captive in this country. Most of them have been kept in deplorable conditions without adequate care and attention. After seeing bears in such bad shape, I couldn't just turn a blind eye to them. I just couldn't. I saw a need to do for the bears what the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Center in Sandakan did - properly house rescued orangutans and prepare them for later return to the wild. "
The search for a suitable site led to a 2.5 hectare area within the 42 square kilometer Sepilok Kabili forest reserve. The property is in the immediate vicinity of the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Center. Previously a rearing station for Sumatrar Rhinos was housed here. The program was stopped in 2006 after the death of the last rhinoceros bull.
The BSCC started its work in 2008 and initially looked after seven sun bears who were being looked after by the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center at the time.
In March 2010, the first phase of construction work on the grounds of the Sepilok Forest Reserve was completed and the bear house, designed for 20 bears, including the outdoor area, was handed over to its destination. In April 2010 the bears were divided into groups and moved into their new habitat. After a period of acclimatization, the bears generally stay in the open-air enclosure during the day.
The second construction phase began in September 2010. The aim of this project was to convert the old bear quarter into office space, a visitor center and a shop. In addition, a quarantine area for up to ten bears was set up and an observation platform was installed for visitors. In addition, the existing paths and catwalks on the site had to be renovated.
In June 2014, a total of 33 sun bears were housed in the BSBCC. The construction of a second bear house and outdoor enclosures for another 20 sun bears is planned for the future.
aims
The BSBCC sees itself neither as a zoo nor as a tourist attraction, but as an institution that serves the protection of species and the reintegration of animals into their natural habitat as well as education and research.
To achieve these goals, it is necessary to build capacities for the confiscation, rehabilitation and release of orphaned or captive bears. A long-term living environment should be created for those bears that are not suitable for release into the wild. At the same time, the center relies on increased public relations work and further research into the species.
A declaration of intent for political lobbying with the aim of achieving better protection of the species and their habitat is expressly included in the BSBCC's program.
Institutions of the BSBCC
The entire site is divided into three areas, each of which is aimed at visitors, bears or members of the BSBCC:
- Visitor area with visitor center, catwalks and observation platform,
- Outdoor enclosure and bear house,
- Administrative and veterinary facilities.
Species conservation in Sabah
Sun bears are included in the fully protected species listed on List 1 of the Sabah Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997 . This means that the killing, keeping or possession of body parts such as claws or gall bladders is punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to RM 50,000.
organization structure
The BSBCC was founded in 2008 as a non-profit organization in Sabah. The board consists of Cynthia Ong (CEO of LEAP), Wong Siew Te (CEO of the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center), Fred Kugan (Deputy Director of the Sabah State Forestry Department) and Augustine Tuuga (Deputy Director of the Sabah Wildlife Department). At the end of 2013, the center employed eleven people as Center Coordinator, Environmental Education Officer, Research & Reintroduction Coordinator, workers and zookeepers.
literature
- BSBCC: Annual reports from 2009 to 2013
Web links
- Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center website
- Web presence of LEAP - Land Empowerment Animals People
- Wildlifedirect: About Siew Te Wong
- Wong Siew Te: Siew Te Wong's sun bear journal
Individual evidence
- ↑ BSBCC website: Location ( Memento of the original from July 29, 2014 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. ; Accessed June 11, 2014
- ↑ a b The Star Online: At home in the forest , May 5, 2014; Accessed June 12, 2014
- ↑ MESYM: Wong Siew Te, on Conserving Sun Bears in Borneo ; Accessed June 12, 2014
- ↑ a b c BSBCC: Structural Development ( Memento of the original of September 24, 2014 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. ; Accessed June 12, 2014
- ↑ BSBCC: Home ; Accessed June 12, 2014
- ↑ The Star Online: At home in the forest , May 5, 2014; Accessed May 12, 2014
- ↑ a b BSBCC: Our mission ( Memento of the original dated August 22, 2014 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. ; Accessed June 12, 2014
- ^ Sorenson, J .: Interview with Siew Te Wong . The Brock Review. 12 (1): 182-186., 2011
- ^ New Borneo Post: Sun Bears sent to conservation center , March 17, 2014; Accessed June 12, 2014
- ↑ BSBCC: Annual Report 2013 ; Accessed June 12, 2014
Remarks
- ^ Original wording: In 2004, I received a grant to do a survey of captive sun bears in the country and I found most to be kept in a deplorable manner, with no proper monitoring and care. After seeing bears in such a bad state, I cannot turn a blind eye to them. I simply cannot. I saw a need to do for sun bears what the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Center in Sandakan was doing - housing rescued orang utans in a proper manner and rehabilitating them for future release back to the wild.