Latest news with #SunBearExhibit
Daily Express
29-04-2025
- General
- Daily Express
‘Sun Bear Exhibit upgrade timely'
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. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Borneo Post
27-04-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
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.
