Sun Bears Endangered
Unfortunately, sun bears face grave challenges due to shrinking forests and the hunting of mother bears for their cubs, a cruel practice prevalent in their habitats.
Sun bears, native to the tropical forests of Southeast Asia, are the smallest bear species in the world. These bears have an average height of up to 70 centimeters and weigh between 25 to 65 kilograms.
They are known for the amber-colored crescent-shaped fur patches on their chests. They also have long tongues, which help them extract honey from bee hives. Their nickname “beruang madu” (honey bear) in Malaysia and Indonesia reflects this characteristic.
Sun bears face numerous threats, primarily from poaching and deforestation. Over the past three decades, their population in the wild has declined by 35%.
Conservation groups like the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center (BSBCC) in Sabah, Malaysia, are dedicated to protecting and caring for sun bears. Currently, the BSBCC looks after 43 rescued bears, each displaying unique personalities and behavior.
