SANDAKAN: Villagers in Keningau were startled by an unusual sight one morning when a tiny sun bear cub (pic below) was found clinging to a coconut tree in the middle of Kampung Bariawa Laut.
The lone cub, with no sign of its mother nearby, quickly became a cause for concern among residents, who feared it would not survive on its own. Acting swiftly, villagers secured the animal before alerting authorities.
According to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC), the cub was discovered on April 12 at about 8am, roughly 320km from Sandakan in Sabah’s interior.
A team from the Keningau Fire and Rescue Station responded to the call and safely transported the cub. The Sabah Wildlife Department later took over and arranged for its transfer to Sepilok.
Now named Sandokan, the female cub arrived at the conservation centre on April 21 and has begun adjusting to her new surroundings.
Initial assessments indicate she is about seven months old, weighing around 6.5kg – slightly underweight for her age – though all her baby teeth have already emerged.
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Encouragingly, Sandokan has a healthy appetite and is feeding well, with a clean coat and no visible skin issues.
However, veterinarians noted a missing claw on her right front limb. The injury will be closely monitored to ensure proper healing and to rule out underlying complications.
For now, the cub remains stable and under observation as she begins rehabilitation aimed at rebuilding her strength and developing survival instincts.
Located about 25km from Sandakan town, the BSBCC is the world’s only rehabilitation centre dedicated to the conservation of Bornean sun bears.
In Malaysia, sun bears are classified as Totally Protected under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010, making it illegal to hunt, capture, possess or trade them without special permits.
In Sabah, they are similarly safeguarded under the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997, with strict penalties for violations.
