Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre: Wildlife Tourism in Borneo
The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) in Sandakan, Borneo is one of the most rewarding wildlife tourism experiences in Borneo. You get to learn about the Bornean Sun Bear along with the rescue and rehabilitation efforts.
Located right next to the famous Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, the Bornean Sun Bear Centre is conservation focused and allows visitors to observe rescued bears in their natural habitat.
I wrote this post to shed light on the Bornean Sun Bears, provide education, and share how the BSBCC is doing what they can to protect the world’s smallest bear.
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The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre is across the street from Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, so it makes sense to visit both and I highly recommend doing so.
Most day tours or private tours from Sandakan will include both conservation centres. Below you can find the admission and hours for the Sun Bear Conservation Centre.
Admission and Hours
Admission
Malaysian Citizens
Adults: RM10
Children (2-17 years old): RM5
Non-Malaysian Citizens
Adults: RM50
Children (2-17 years old): RM25
Hours
Open Daily: 9:00 – 15:30
About the Bornean Sun Bear
Sun bears are found throughout Southeast Asia. There are two subspecies of the sun bear, the Malayan Sun Bear and the Bornean Sun Bear.
The Malayan Sun Bear is found throughout Southeast Asia to include Sumatra. The Bornean Sun Bear is found only on the island of Borneo and are roughly half the size of the Malayan Sun Bear.
According to the conservation centre, the sun bears spend a lot of time in trees and are considered the most arboreal (living in trees) of all bear species.
When you think of bears, you think of honey! Sun bears have incredibly long tongues which are used to eat insects and honey. They also eat fruits and small animals.
The sun bear is the world’s smallest bear. The average height ranges between 120-150 cm with males weighing between 30-60kn and females weigh around 20-40kg.
What is the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre?
According to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre website, their goal is to rescue and rehabilitate Bornean sun bears.
The center opened in 2014 to the public and has 41 rescued sun bears.
The BSBCC focuses on animal welfare, rehabilitation, research, education, and ecotourism.
All the information provided is from my visit to the BSBCC and the BSBCC website.
Sun Bear Rescue and Rehabilitation
The staff at BSBCC works around the clock to rescue and rehabilitate the Bornean sun bears.
When bears first arrive, they receive a health check and remain quarantined for a month to protect themselves and other bears.
After the bear goes through quarantine they arrive at an indoor enclosure near other bears so it can become used to the scents, sights, and sounds of other bears at the rescue.
The sun bears are then transferred to their forest enclosures where they learn typical bear behaviors like foraging and building nests.
The goal is for the bears to develop all the skills they need to live in the wild again. Our guide told us sometimes the bears can be at the rehab facility for 15 years.
Conservation and Education
At the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, conservation and education go hand in hand. The goal is to give travelers a deeper understanding of why responsible wildlife tourism in Borneo matters.
Before visiting the BSBCC I had no clue about the Bornean sun bears and now I am writing a post about them, because I think their conservation efforts are equally important as those of the orangutans next door.
The conservation centre here does an amazing job at informing its visitors on the conservation and effort that is made to rescue the Bornean sun bear.
Why Sun Bears are Endangered in Borneo
Unfortunately, the sun bears are endangered for many reasons: habitat loss, poaching, and being sold as pets.
The sun bears are a protected species and have been since 1997. But this obviously does not stop poachers. Poachers illegally sell certain body parts of the bears as exotic meats and to be used as medicine (bile from gall bladder).
Because the Bornean sun bear is the smallest bear species on the planet, people think they are cute and would make great pets.
For obvious reasons, keeping a bear as a pet is a bad idea. Even though they are small, they are still bears. When people realize this, the bears always suffer and usually end up being tied down or placed in tiny cages.
According to the BSBCC, all the bears here were pets at one point and are currently being rehabilitated to regain their skills to survive in the wild.
What to Expect when Visiting
The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre is small but you can easily spend an hour or two here. First, I recommend reading all the information signs posted prior to the entrance and along the platforms.
Next, you get a chance to see the Bornean sun bears from viewing platforms set above the enclosures.
If timed correctly, you can also watch the staff feed the bears.
Walking Trails and Viewing Platforms
The BSBCC features elevated walkways with several viewing platforms. There are benches on the platforms and places to take breaks.
Along the platforms there are information signs posted along the way which I recommend reading.
Seeing the Sun Bears in a Natural Forest Habitat and Feeding
From the platforms above you can see the Bornean sun bears. Of course, like all wildlife, there is no guarantee but your chances are quite high.
The habitats are large giving the bears plenty of space to forage and explore. I really liked that the enclosures are built within a natural setting.
Informational Exhibits
Besides seeing the Bornean sun bears, I really loved the amount of information posted around the BSBCC. From the path leading to the entrance, the platforms, and exit, there were information signs everywhere.
I knew nothing about the Bornean sun bear and now have a lot of respect for the world’s smallest bears.
Learn about the bears habitat, what they eat, how they differ from the Malayan sun bear, and so much more!
Booking a Tour to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre
Like the Sepilok Orangutan Rehab Centre, you can visit the BSBCC on your own. But I recommend booking a tour online through either Get Your Guide, Viator, or Klook.
When booking a tour, usually includes both the Sepilok Orangutan Rehab Centre and the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre. The guide handles tickets, transportation, and is there to answer any questions.
Here are some of the tours that I recommend.
Sandakan Sepilok Orangutan & Sun Bear Half-Day Guided Tour
Private Full Day Sepilok Orangutan, Bornean Sun Bear, and Rainforest Discovery Center Tour
Full Day at Sepilok Orangutan, Sun Bear, and Sandakan City Tour
Conclusion
Visiting the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre really impacted me, so much so that I felt the need to write about it to inform my readers on ethical wildlife tourism and how awesome the BSBCC is.
If you are planning on visiting the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, do yourself a favor, cross the street and pay a visit to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre.
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