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Sun Bear Sanctuary
Although sun bears have been protected in Indonesia since 1973, they are still
frequently killed or kept as pets. The biggest threat to sun bears in Indonesia
is the ongoing destruction of their forest habitats. Poaching of bears for their
gall bladders or pet trade occurs as well, although this is much less of a
threat to the sun bear populations than large scale forest loss. The sun bears
at KWPLH have spent many years in captivity and some have sustained serious
physical and psychological trauma's, making these bears unlikely candidates for
release.
KWPLH is home to five sun bears (3 males: 2 females). All were previously kept
as pets. They have varying backgrounds though all have been taken from the wild
as cubs. One male, Bennie, has been de-clawed and his canines cut off. Harris
was 'treated' well, drinking beer and other liquors for entertainment of the
owner's guests during his 5 years as a pet! Idot, a female, was scarred
seriously by a wire cable that had been tied around her chest since she was a
cub. By the time she was confiscated the wire had grown into her chest and it
was unclear whether or not she would survive. Batik was confined to a cage
measuring only 1x2 metres. He was confiscated when the owner decided he wanted
the bear killed and his gall balder removed. Only Anna escaped serious physical
harm.
Free The Bears Fund Inc provides technical and veterinary support plus ongoing
financial assistance to maintain the bears and their 1.3 hectare sanctuary.
Unlike the small cages they were kept in as pets, here they can explore, dig,
climb trees, forage, and carry out all the other "bear" necessities. By serving
as 'wildlife ambassadors' to educate the local people about conservation and
ecology, our bears will help to ensure a future for wild sun bears in Borneo.
Environmental Education Centre
Free the Bears Fund has also provided financial support to develop a new sun
bear education exhibit. The 500 square meter exhibit area is one of the four
planned education exhibits at the KWPLH. The sun bear education exhibit will
consist of numerous interactive displays, life size paintings of all bear
species and their habitats, and will focus on various aspects of sun bears'
ecology, their role in forest ecosystems, behaviour, research, but most of all
on conservation and what the local public can do to help conserve this wonderful
species.
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