Recently I had the opportunity to attend a Saving Sun Bears Event organised by The Sumatran Sun Bear Team in Sydney, Australia. I encourage you to find out how you could get involved with them here
It was a great awareness and fund-raising event with lectures about Sun Bear Ecology, Threats, Health Care Management and, excitingly, Rehabilitation and Release back to the wild.
Dr Siew Te Wong from the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, which takes a holistic approach to Sun Bear conservation, was one the guest speakers. Dr Larry Vogelnest from Taronga Wildlife Hospital also gave a talk with his insights into the role of Veterinarians in the care of the Sun Bear, especially after time spent with the Free The Bears organisation.
It was an incredible day and very inspiring.
At Planet Decent we are very interested in Keystone species that range across biodiversity hotspots. Keystone species are species that positively impact that life of other species within the same ecosystem.
We are also excited to support Sun Bear conservation especially, as it’s mainland asian and bornean/sumatran is similar to our ambassador species, the Clouded Leopard.
The Sun Bear is found across an impressive range, however, it’s population is decreasing and increasingly under threat from habitat destruction and fragmentation, poaching (for bush meats and folk medicine) and for the pet trade. The IUCN Red List deem Sun Bears as Threatened (Vulnerable). It was identified, that while the Bornean Sun Bears having the passion, care and expertise provided by Dr Wong and his team, the Sumatran Sun Bears do not have access, so the team headed up by Lesley Small decided to launch a project to build a conservation centre in Sumatra.
Conservation efforts on the ground in Sumatra are also impactful in that they increase awareness for conservation of other species extant to Sumatra, including the endangered Sumatran Tiger.
To learn more about the Sun Bear I would recommend reviewing the following links in addition to viewing the following video from Dr Wong;
Stay Informed about animal conservation from the World Conservation Society here
Learn more about Sun Bear, and other species, threats via the IUCN Red List here
What is a Keystone Species? Click here to find out
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