27-04-2025
Sun Bear Exhibit upgraded ahead of Visit Malaysia Year 2026
Gimmick launching of the exhibit: (From left) Mohd Soffian Abu Bakar, Simon Marsh from Wild Welfare, Wong Siew Te from Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre and Maryati Abd Lakim, Curator of Lok Kawi Wildlife Park.
KOTA KINABALU (April 27): Sabah Wildlife Department director Mohd Soffian Abu Bakar officially launched the newly upgraded Sun Bear Exhibit at Lok Kawi Wildlife Park (LKWP) on Sunday.
The RM230,000 enhancement aims to provide a more spacious and enriching environment for the sun bears, allowing the public to observe these iconic animals in a setting that closely mimics their natural habitat.
The launch of the upgraded exhibit aligns with Malaysia's preparations for Visit Malaysia Year 2026, where the sun bear will serve as the official mascot, further boosting both local and international tourism.
The enhanced Sun Bear Exhibit
The project, which commenced in January 2025 and concluded on April 24, 2025, was a collaborative effort between the Sabah Wildlife Department, Wild Welfare and the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC). It features newly added enrichment structures designed to encourage the sun bears to display their natural behaviors, enhancing their overall well-being.
'Sun bears are the smallest bear species in the world, yet they are among the most threatened due to illegal wildlife trade,' said Dr Wong Siew Te, founder of BSBCC.
'This upgraded exhibit not only offers a better living environment for the bears but also raises public awareness about the urgent need for their conservation.'
Simon Marsh, operations manager at Wild Welfare, commended LKWP for its commitment to improving animal welfare.
'Allowing sun bears to express natural behaviors in captivity is vital for their mental and physical health.
Wild Welfare remains dedicated to supporting the park with training and technical advice,' he added.
Lok Kawi Wildlife Park is currently home to seven sun bears — three males and four females — all of whom were either rescued from illegal ownership or voluntarily surrendered. One of the females, nine-year-old Mei Mei, was born in captivity at the park.
Since 2015, LKWP has successfully rehabilitated and released 13 sun bears back into the wild, reinforcing its role as a key rescue and rehabilitation center.
The upgraded exhibit is also part of LKWP's broader efforts to increase annual visitor numbers.
Mohd Soffian noted that post-pandemic, the park has welcomed between 140,000 and 150,000 visitors per year, and hopes the new exhibit will attract even more.
'We aim to increase this number, especially with the new and improved exhibits,' he said.
In addition to the sun bear exhibit, the park has recently upgraded its elephant enclosures, introducing a new 'Protective Contact' system that allows keepers to interact safely with elephants from a distance.
Mohd Soffian emphasized LKWP's commitment to enhancing both its facilities and staff training to ensure high standards of animal care and to improve the overall visitor experience.
Visitors are invited to explore the enhanced Sun Bear Exhibit, which promises a more engaging encounter with one of Malaysia's most beloved wildlife species. Lok Kawi Wildlife Park is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
