Latest news with #WongSiewTe
The Sun
27-05-2025
- Science
- The Sun
APU highlights the need for conservation of the sun bear
ASIA PACIFIC University of Technology and Innovation (APU) together with Brainchild Pictures have produced a documentary titled Itam: A Sun Bear Story, which spotlights the plight of the endangered Malayan Bornean sun bear and its disappearing rainforest habitat. The endangered Malayan sun bear is in need of help, being one of the world's most elusive bear species and as its numbers dwindle in the wild, one rescued Bornean sun bear Itam represents hope for the future through this documentary. The documentary shot entirely in Sabah involved APU academic staff and students and as vice-chancellor of APU Professor Dr Ho Chin Kuan said, 'It is an honour to be part of this production journey. This rare opportunity allows our staff and students from diverse creative fields to collaborate on a large-scale project with the potential to make a meaningful impact on environmental conservation.' Working closely with Brainchild Pictures, students from APU School of Media, Arts and Design (SoMAD) contributed creative proposals, including graphic designs, motion graphics, visual effects and also awareness campaigns. The production house also contributed to the learning experience of students by providing exclusive masterclass sessions at APU, offering insights into visual effects (VFX). APU students also explored sustainable 3D souvenirs and developed tourism focused story books to raise awareness on sun bears. At the launch of the full length documentary, a first for Malaysia, there was a recorded session with Dr Wong Siew Te, founder of the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC). He shared the many threats to their habitat, including deforestation and poaching. Wong said despite being the smallest bear species on Earth, sun bears are recognised as keystone species in maintaining rainforest ecosystems. He said their survival is crucial not only for biodiversity but also for human wellbeing and climate resilience. The film's trailer was officially launched on May 8 at the APU campus in Technology Park Malaysia, Bukit Jalil by Tourism Arts and Culture Deputy Minister Khairul Firdaus Akhbar Khan. Khairul said, 'We celebrate the launch of Malaysia's first big screen wildlife documentary, showcasing our commitment to conservation and sustainable tourism. Featuring Itam, a rescued sun bear, the film highlights the vital role of sun bears in our ecosystem. 'This documentary is a timely call for awareness, education and action. Projects like Itam put Malaysia on the global map – not just as a tourist destination, but as a country deeply committed to preserving our natural heritage for generations to come,' he said. Filmmaker Raymond Tan, who directed the documentary said Itam not only chronicles the story of Malaysia's sun bear but also showcases Sabah as a leading destination for environmental and sustainability efforts in the region. 'Itam is more than just a story about a bear; it is a reflection of ourselves and our responsibility to protect the fragile ecosystems we are all part of. Conservation alone is no longer enough; education must be at the heart of everything we do if we are save not just the sun bear, but our future. 'We want to inspire audiences to care.'
The Sun
27-05-2025
- Science
- The Sun
A first for Malaysia – spotlight on the sun bear
ASIA PACIFIC University of Technology and Innovation (APU) together with Brainchild Pictures have produced a documentary titled Itam: A Sun Bear Story, which spotlights the plight of the endangered Malayan Bornean sun bear and its disappearing rainforest habitat. The endangered Malayan sun bear is in need of help, being one of the world's most elusive bear species and as its numbers dwindle in the wild, one rescued Bornean sun bear Itam represents hope for the future through this documentary. The documentary shot entirely in Sabah involved APU academic staff and students and as vice-chancellor of APU Professor Dr Ho Chin Kuan said, 'It is an honour to be part of this production journey. This rare opportunity allows our staff and students from diverse creative fields to collaborate on a large-scale project with the potential to make a meaningful impact on environmental conservation.' Working closely with Brainchild Pictures, students from APU School of Media, Arts and Design (SoMAD) contributed creative proposals, including graphic designs, motion graphics, visual effects and also awareness campaigns. The production house also contributed to the learning experience of students by providing exclusive masterclass sessions at APU, offering insights into visual effects (VFX). APU students also explored sustainable 3D souvenirs and developed tourism focused story books to raise awareness on sun bears. At the launch of the full length documentary, a first for Malaysia, there was a recorded session with Dr Wong Siew Te, founder of the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC). He shared the many threats to their habitat, including deforestation and poaching. Wong said despite being the smallest bear species on Earth, sun bears are recognised as keystone species in maintaining rainforest ecosystems. He said their survival is crucial not only for biodiversity but also for human wellbeing and climate resilience. The film's trailer was officially launched on May 8 at the APU campus in Technology Park Malaysia, Bukit Jalil by Tourism Arts and Culture Deputy Minister Khairul Firdaus Akhbar Khan. Khairul said, 'We celebrate the launch of Malaysia's first big screen wildlife documentary, showcasing our commitment to conservation and sustainable tourism. Featuring Itam, a rescued sun bear, the film highlights the vital role of sun bears in our ecosystem. 'This documentary is a timely call for awareness, education and action. Projects like Itam put Malaysia on the global map – not just as a tourist destination, but as a country deeply committed to preserving our natural heritage for generations to come,' he said. Filmmaker Raymond Tan, who directed the documentary said Itam not only chronicles the story of Malaysia's sun bear but also showcases Sabah as a leading destination for environmental and sustainability efforts in the region. 'Itam is more than just a story about a bear; it is a reflection of ourselves and our responsibility to protect the fragile ecosystems we are all part of. Conservation alone is no longer enough; education must be at the heart of everything we do if we are save not just the sun bear, but our future. 'We want to inspire audiences to care.'
The Star
17-05-2025
- General
- The Star
World's smallest bears get bigger time in the sun
New look: The revamped exhibit is also able to accommodate more sun bears in a spacious day stall area, where the public can witness their charm up close. KOTA KINABALU: The world's smallest bear species now has a much bigger stage at Lok Kawi Wildlife Park, with the launch of a newly upgraded sun bear exhibit designed to champion conservation and captivate visitors. Sabah Wildlife Department director Mohd Soffian Abu Bakar said the revamped exhibit is also able to accommodate more sun bears in a spacious day stall area, where the public can witness their charm up close. 'It aims to strengthen conservation efforts, educate the public and raise awareness about the threats faced by this vulnerable species, especially from wildlife crime,' he said at the launching ceremony yesterday. 'It marks a major step forward in promoting conservation and improving animal welfare.' Timed perfectly with Malaysia's preparations for Visit Malaysia 2026 – where the sun bear will proudly serve as the official mascot – the launch is also expected to spark new interest among both local and international travellers. The upgrade is the result of a successful collaboration between the Sabah Wildlife Department, Wild Welfare, and the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC). Fresh enrichment features and furniture have been installed to provide a more engaging environment to stimulate the sun bears' natural behaviours, creating a more dynamic and welfare-focused setting for the bears living in captivity at the wildlife park. The RM230,000 upgrade, which began in January and wrapped up on April 24, offers visitors a closer and more meaningful experience with one of Malaysia's most iconic wildlife species. Dr Wong Siew Te, founder of the BSBCC, described the sun bear as 'the smallest bear species, but one of the most threatened, often falling victim to the 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, praised the park's efforts, calling it inspiring to see Lok Kawi Wildlife Park prioritising the mental and physical well-being of its animals. He said Wild Welfare will continue to support the wildlife park by providing training and technical advice to assist in further improvements. Currently, Lok Kawi Wildlife Park is home to seven sun bears – three males and four females – many of whom were rescued from illegal ownership or voluntarily surrendered to the Sabah Wildlife Department. Since 2015, the park has successfully rehabilitated and released 13 sun bears back into the wild, reinforcing its critical role as a rescue and rehabilitation centre. The newly upgraded sun bear exhibit is now open to the public daily from 9am to 5pm.
The Star
17-05-2025
- General
- The Star
Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre celebrates 9th International Sun Bear Day
KOTA KINABALU: The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) marked the 9th International Sun Bear Day on Friday (May 16), emphasising the role of conservation education in connecting people with wildlife. This year's event, themed 'Conservation Education: Bridging People and Wildlife', aimed to raise awareness about the critical role of sun bears in maintaining healthy ecosystems. The celebration, held at the BSBCC in Sepilok, Sandakan, saw participation from around 50 students and teachers from local schools, including SJK (C) Ming Chung, SJK (C) Yuk Choi, SK Sung Siew, SK Muhibbah, and SMK Elopura. Students participated in interactive guided tours and a sun bear enrichment activity, learning about animal welfare and conservation. Prior to the event, the Centre hosted online contests such as quizzes, doodle art, and drawing competitions, open to local and international audiences. Visitors to the BSBCC also enjoyed a pre-celebration event from May 3 to 4, featuring booths from the BSBCC itself, Sepilok Junior Rangers, and Kolej Vokasional Sandakan, offering interactive activities for all ages. BSBCC Founder Dr Wong Siew Te said the International Sun Bear Day, first celebrated on May 16, 2015, commemorates the release of the first rehabilitated sun bear, Natalie, at the Tabin Wildlife Reserve. 'The existence of sun bears is often misunderstood, even among Malaysians. As the smallest among the eight living bear species in the world, they are a unique part of Malaysia's natural heritage. However, habitat loss and illegal hunting have led to a decline in their numbers,' Dr Wong said. He added that since its establishment in 2008, the BSBCC has rescued 70 sun bears, of which 13 have been successfully rehabilitated and released back into the wild. Two young bears are currently undergoing a 'soft release' process, where they are gradually introduced back to the forest. Dr Wong also emphasised the importance of wildlife tourism in sustaining the Centre's operations, with over RM3.5 million generated annually from visitor contributions. 'Wildlife conservation and eco-tourism are interconnected. The more visitors we attract, the more funding we have to protect these bears and their habitats,' he said. BSBCC's ongoing efforts are crucial as the Centre continues to promote the conservation of sun bears while providing rehabilitation for those rescued from illegal captivity.
Borneo Post
14-05-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
Four Sandakan eco-tourism attractions to be upgraded
Liew at the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre with founder Dr Wong Siew Te. SANDAKAN (May 14): Four key eco-tourism sites in Sandakan will undergo significant upgrades with a RM1.25 million allocation aimed at enhancing visitor experiences and supporting conservation efforts. The funding — comprising RM750,000 from the federal government and RM500,000 from the Sabah government — will benefit the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre, Agnes Keith House and the upcoming Martin & Osa Johnson Gallery. The development of the Martin & Osa Johnson Gallery at the PWD 2002 Building, Agnes Keith House, to be carried out this year, is a joint effort by the state government to highlight the history of the exploration of the husband-and-wife duo, Martin and Osa Johnson, in the Kinabatangan region during the 1930s. State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew who visited the centres on Wednesday, said these projects form part of the State Government's initiative to ensure Sabah is fully prepared for Visit Malaysia Year 2026. The minister emphasized the Sabah government's commitment to ensuring that facilities provided for tourists, both domestic and international, are of the highest quality, safe, environmentally friendly, and of international standards. At the same time, she noted that these upgrades would enhance the visitor experience while preserving the ecological value of the area for the long term. The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, one of the oldest orangutan rehabilitation centres in the world, has drawn visitors from across the globe since its establishment in 1964. It plays a vital role in wildlife conservation efforts and serves as an educational centre for younger generations and international tourists alike. Meanwhile, the Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre remains the only sun bear conservation facility in the world. It provides sanctuary for this endangered species and serves as a hub for environmental education and scientific research. With infrastructure improvements, both centres are expected to attract more visitors and raise awareness about biodiversity conservation in Borneo. These efforts are aligned with Sabah's broader commitment to advancing sustainable ecotourism, where environmental preservation and economic development go hand in hand.
