‘Sun Bear Exhibit upgrade timely'

Daily Express

29-04-2025

Published on: Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Published on: Tue, Apr 29, 2025 Text Size: Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD), led by its Director Mohd Soffian Abu Bakar, officially launched the newly-upgraded Sun Bear Exhibit at Lok Kawi Wildlife Park (LKWP), here. According to statement from SWD, the enhanced exhibit, designed to accommodate more sun bears in a spacious day stall area for public viewing, aims to strengthen conservation efforts, educate the public, and raise awareness about the threats faced by this vulnerable species, particularly those related to wildlife crime. It said, timed perfectly with Malaysia's preparations for Visit Malaysia 2026 – where the Sun Bear has been chosen as the official mascot – the launch is expected to boost local and international tourism. The department added that it marks a major step forward in promoting conservation as well as improving animal welfare, and the upgraded exhibit is the result of a successful collaboration between SWD, Wild Welfare, and the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre. 'It features newly added enrichment structures and furniture designed to stimulate the sun bears' natural behaviours, creating a more dynamic and welfare-focused environment for the bears living in captivity at LKWP,' SWD said. Meanwhile, Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre founder Dr. Wong Siew Te in the same statement said sun bears are the smallest species of bears in the world, and yet they are among the most threatened, often falling victim to illegal wildlife trade. 'This exhibit not only provides a better living environment for the bears but also helps the public understand the urgent need for their conservation,' he said. Simon Marsh, Operations Manager at Wild Welfare, said it was inspiring to see LKWP taking important steps to improve animal welfare. 'Allowing sun bears to express their natural behaviours in captivity is crucial for their mental and physical well-being,' he said, adding that Wild Welfare would continue to support LKWP by providing training and technical advice to assist further improvements at the park. Currently, LKWP houses seven sun bears – three males and four females – most of whom were rescued from illegal ownership or voluntarily surrendered to the SWD. Since 2015, LKWP has successfully rehabilitated and released 13 sun bears back into the wild, reinforcing its critical role as a rescue and rehabilitation centre. The upgrading project, which began in January 2025 and concluded on April 24 (Thursday), was completed at a cost of RM230,000. The improvements provide a more naturalistic, engaging environment for the bears, while offering visitors a closer and more meaningful experience with one of Malaysia's most iconic wildlife species. The public is invited to visit the newly upgraded Sun Bear Exhibit. LKWP is open daily from 9am to 5pm. Come and witness the charm of Malaysia's beloved sun bears – the smallest bears in the world – and be part of their conservation journey. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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