adminSANDAKAN: Sun bear conservation efforts at the Tabin Wildlife Reserve are now entering a more structured phase when the endangered animals undergo a phased release through a soft release approach monitored using GPS technology to improve survival in the wild habitat.
Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) Environmental Education Officer Mohd Haniff Mohd Busrah said two sun bears are currently undergoing a soft release process , which is a method of gradual release that allows the animals to adapt to their natural habitat before they are truly able to be independent in the forest.
“This process does take time depending on the development of each bear. We take these animals to the forest, then return to the centre and repeat the process until the time comes when these sun bears are independent enough to live on their own in the wild habitat,” he told reporters during a media tour of the project at BSBCC, here last Saturday.
He said the BSBCC currently houses 43 sun bears, most of whom were rescued from illegal keeping as pets and were discovered in oil palm plantation areas.
Mohd Haniff said that so far, 13 bears have been released through the hard release method , but three of them were confirmed dead after returning to their wild habitat due to natural factors including competition among bears, lack of food, disease and injury.
“When these animals become too familiar with humans, the process of returning them to their wild nature becomes very challenging. Some no longer show natural behaviour, so these animals remain at this centre,” he said.
He said each bear released would be fitted with a global positioning system (GPS) collar to enable movement monitoring and assessment of the effectiveness of the rehabilitation programme, at a cost of approximately RM10,000 per unit.
Meanwhile, he said the total number of bears rescued between 2018 and 2026 was 15, with the rescue trend increasing in 2026, which is four bears so far.
The Tabin Sun Bear Project is supported by the Malaysian Palm Oil Green Conservation Foundation (MPOGCF) with a fund of RM50,000 and implemented by BSBCC, in addition to focusing on scientific research, field monitoring and human-wildlife conflict management.
He said the Tabin Wildlife Reserve, managed by the Sabah Forestry Department and the Sabah Wildlife Department, covers an area about twice the size of Singapore and is suitable for sun bear conservation because it is far from human disturbance.
Mohd Haniff said the area was also equipped with BSBCC facilities for soft release , monitoring and research purposes, in addition to having unique logistics including a natural landing area in the volcanic mud zone which facilitated access to the interior.
Meanwhile, MPOGCF Conservation and Sustainability Executive Nur Fatin Amirah Ahmad Amri said support for the Tabin Sun Bear Project was part of the foundation’s efforts to promote sustainable wildlife conservation, particularly in ensuring coexistence between the palm oil industry and biodiversity.
He said part of the RM50,000 fund was used to provide satellite collars to monitor the movement of bears after they are released, in addition to collaborating with plantation companies who will inform the Sabah Wildlife Department and BSBCC if there are bears in the plantation area for further action.
Two sun bears, Tenom and Pitang, he said, were pioneers of the soft release program , with Tenom, who has been in the Tabin Wildlife Reserve for almost two years, showing positive development as he increasingly adapts to the forest environment.
— BERNAMA
