Everyone knows what a panda is, but do you know anything about sun bears?
I heard nothing about them until my visit to the Orangutan Rehabilitation Center, where I saw the sign that attracted my attention. Following the directions, I found a wooden platform from which one can observe a piece of the forest with these cute, little jet-black bears.They took their name thank to a big pale patch on their chests is reminiscent of the rising sun. They are the smallest and rarest representatives of the bear family, with short tails and extremely long tongues that can reach 25 cm!
During the last 30 years, the population of sun bears (Helarctos malayanus) has declined by more than 30%, because of forest degradation and destruction, illegal hunting and capturing.
The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, which is located in Sepilok, Sabah, Malaysia, was founded in 2008 to put a stop to these cruel practices and to provide conservation and rehabilitation of sun bears. This includes the confiscating of captive animals, rehabilitating them and releasing them back to the wild; the center also conducts research and public education programs. Nowadays, BSBCC is the only place in the world where you can see these animals in their natural environment. There are currently 33 rescued bears living at the center.
How to get to Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre:
The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, which is located in Sepilok, Sabah, Malaysia, was founded in 2008 to put a stop to these cruel practices and to provide conservation and rehabilitation of sun bears. This includes the confiscating of captive animals, rehabilitating them and releasing them back to the wild; the center also conducts research and public education programs. Nowadays, BSBCC is the only place in the world where you can see these animals in their natural environment. There are currently 33 rescued bears living at the center.
From Sandakan you can reach the center by car, taxi or bus; detailed directions are presented here.
Sandakan has its own airport, but if you have time and rental car you can enjoy the driving from Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Malaysian Borneo, either through the forest (Routes SA3/22) or along the sea (Routes 1/22). In the first case, you will drive 334 km, near the Mount Kinabalu and through places where you can see Rafflesia, the largest flower in the world. The road is good and covered by asphalt. However, it has a lot of attractions that you might want to stop and see, so it is better to plan it as a full-day trip. The route along the sea is best split into two days.
What is nearby:
Orangutan Rehabilitation Center is in the same place as BSBCC.
Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary is about two hours' drive from Sepilok. There you can take a boat trip along the Kinabatangan River to see local wildlife in its natural environment. Make sure that you have enough fuel for the whole trip—it can be difficult to find the petrol on the way.
Where to stay to be close to Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre:
There is a good selection of reasonably priced hotels in the area. Also, there are comfortable lodges in the forest, e.g., Sepilok Nature Resort and Sepilok Jungle Resort.
Weather and climate in the Sandakan area:
The area has a tropical rainforest climate, with temperatures of around 30°C all year round (daily variations can be from 23°C to 33°C). The driest month is April, while from October until February there is more rain. It can get quite cold in the mountainous areas.
The entrance fee to Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre for non-Malaysians is 30 MYR (around 7 EUR); teenagers 12–17 pay half price, and the children are admitted free. If you have a camera with a lens of 500 mm or more, you will pay an extra fee. All prices are subject to a 6% tax.
The parking is free.
Travel tips:
- The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre is open every day, including holidays, from 9:00AM until 3:30PM.
- While you are there, why not to visit the Orangutan Rehabilitation Center and get to know our fluffy relatives a little better? It is advisable to get there 15 minutes before feeding time, which is 10 AM and 3 PM daily.
- The local tea plantations are not to be missed. You will see plenty of them along the road from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan.
Useful links:
Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) - official website;
Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) - the page on Wildlifedirect.