The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) is the only sun bear conservation centre in the world. It was founded in Sabah, Malaysia in 2008 with two aims:
to provide care and rehabilitation to rescued sun bears; and
to increase awareness of sun bears internationally.
These aims work to ensure the absolute right of every bear to live in the forest.
To achieve our aims in sun bear conservation, BSBCC’s work relies on five fundamental pillars: welfare, rehabilitation, education, research and eco-tourism.
Animal Welfare
A Better Life
BSBCC is currently home to 43 rescued sun bears and 1 captive born. Sun bears in the wild face many threats. All bears at our centre are orphaned and/or ex-captive bears, often found in unnatural conditions, with inadequate diets and no stimulation. We provide rescued sun bears with a better life.
Bear Welfare
At our centre in Sepilok-Kabili Forest Reserve, we reintroduce bears into their natural habitat and provide the largest forest enclosures of any sun bear centre. The care we provide is the closest a captive sun bear can come to life in the wild.
Our expert researchers and rehabilitators work with the bears to develop the skills necessary - foraging, climbing trees, nest building and self-defence - for independence in the forest. For cubs, our experts become surrogate mothers until the bears gain their independence. We constantly develop "enrichment activities" to improve welfare and encourage species specific behaviour.
Rehabilitation to the wild
Our Centre is the only in the world that offers potential release candidates the chance to naturalise to forest life before they are released. Our research and rehabilitators closely monitor each bear and identify potential release candidates and work to develop their skills and encourage their independence.
Sadly, sometimes our bears are too traumatised for release to be possible, for these bears BSBCC provides a dignified permanent home.Volunteer in the tropical rainforests on the in Island of Borneo, Malaysia.
Be part of a sun bear conservation team while exploring the wonders of the Borneo wildlife
Work among the most biodiverse ecosystems in the world.
Animal husbandary and lots of hands on work with plenty to do and experience.
You will develop new transferable skills and gain industry experience that match your passion and interests.
Experience day off adventures and embrace the Borneo local culture, sights & attractions.
Our Mission
The mission of the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre in Sabah, Malaysia, is to promote sun bear conservation in Borneo through animal welfare, conservation, rehabilitation, education and research - giving captured sun bears a better home and restoring their right to live in the wild, by:
Creating the capacity to confiscate, rehabilitate and release suitable orphaned and ex-captive bears back into the wild.
Providing an improved long-term living environment for captive bears that cannot be released.
Educating the public and raising awareness about this species.
Achieving increased protection for sun bears and their habitat through ongoing research, increased knowledge and awareness, and further protection of habitat.
Come join us and volunteer in Borneo with the sun bears! Borneo is famous for its wildlife diversity and celebrates many endemic species. Sun bears, the smallest species of bear, are only found in the tropical forests of Southeast Asia and here at the sun bear conservation centre in Sepilok, Borneo, we rescue sun bears and work to rehabilitate them to the wild.
It is a great volunteering programme for anyone who is interested to know more about animal conservation or just to get their hands dirty and do something meaningful while travelling.
Offering the choice of 1 of 2 hands on adventurous programs:
(1) - Sun Bear Assistant - 14 days or 28 days at Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre
(2) - Sun Bear Encounters - 16 days at Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre AND 12 days at Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary
Activities
Animal husbandry
This involves cleaning cages and feeding. You will work with different sun bears depending on the needs of the bears, keepers or the centre. Cleaning is vital to BSBCC as better hygiene helps to prevent disease. You must be capable of cleaning up animal faeces – this can be extremely smelly!!
Some daily maintenance work such as conduct daily checks on the facilities and general maintenance (electric fence voltage, weeding to avoid short circuit, painting etc) may be included.
Enrichment
The idea of enrichment is to stimulate the animals and improve their living conditions as much as possible to mimic their natural habitat. Some examples are:Provide leaves in cages for bedding and nesting purposes
Buy special fruit to ensure a varied diet
Put branches from fig or fruit trees in their homes to observe behaviour
Rope work – make this fun and varied for the animal
Hiding treats around cages to encourage foraging behavior
Trek into the jungle in search of termite nests
Volunteers will be involved in designing & preparing enrichment. The effectiveness of the enrichment items on the sun bear behavior will then be observed. You always have to clean up after enrichment activities.
Sun Bear Observation
Gain fieldwork experience in the tropical rainforest environment and involve in rehabilitation process.
Construction
You may be asked to design and work on small construction projects to improve the night dens or enclosures. This may include assisting in building new exhibits and extensions to improve the facilities, or improving existing exhibits by adding furniture or painting.
Education
There is an education centre and library at BSBCC. Volunteers should learn as much as possible about the sun bears. You may be asked to talk to school children and design an education session for them. You may also be asked to speak to visitors at the visitor centre and outdoor education gallery about sun bears. You may also be asked to prepare displays and information on them.
Besides, Volunteers will be in charge of updating the blog and data entry of the Bear Behaviour Record and the Weekly Record.Scholarships
BSBCC also offer scholarships to deserving students and volunteers. These scholarships are limited in number and applications must be submitted early to avoid disappointment. All Malaysians and International students are entitled to apply for these scholarships. Full and partial scholarships are subject to qualification. Applications are subject to terms and conditions.
Contact us for more details
At the Sun Bear Conservation Centre -
Shared dormitory style 2 persons to a room. Shared warm water showers and toilets. Communal kitchen and basic cooking facilities. Washing machine available.
At the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary -
You will be hosted in 3 accommodation styles as you experience all different areas of the projects.
Paganakan Dii - Dormitory. Shared warm water showers and toilets.
Sukau Greenview B&B Village style B&B. Shared room 2-4 persons to a room. Ensuite showers and toilets.
The Elopura Hotel Shared room 2-4 persons to a room. Ensuite showers and toilets.
Please Note: Accommodation is subject to change without prior notice. Shared rooms throughout the project. Single Room subject to availability.
Prices are as followed;
Sun Bear Assistant at Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre
- 14 days = €1095 per person
- 28 days = €2060 per person
Sun Bear Encounters at Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre AND Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary
28 days = €2615 per person
Additional Info
What's Included & Excluded
Included
Conservation contribution to the project.
English Speaking Coordinator.
4 Free work tshirt.
All activities, tools & matierals.
Accommodation.
Airport Transfers.
Welcome Dinner.
Meal allowance for all Project Days as indicated on itinerary / self-catering with basic cooking facilities provided.
Introduction & orientation.
Tourism Tax.
Sales & Service Tax.
Not Included
Flights & Internal Airfare.
Dinner on day 6.
Camera fees.
visa & application fees.
Vaccinations / Immunisations
Meals & Drinks on Off Days.
Private Transfers
Any items not stated above