Rescued sun bear cub finds new home at BSBCC

SANDAKAN: Found alone in a forest reserve in Pinangah, within the Telupid district, a female sun bear cub believed to be about two months old is now settling into her new home at Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) here.
Named "Wawa" by the Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) officer who drove her to the centre last Friday, the cub is currently under quarantine and is reported to be improving in terms of her health.
The cub was found lifeless on March 11 by forest workers. said BSBCC chief executive officer Wong Siew Te in a joint statement from SWD today.
Wawa is the 48th rescued sun bear to have arrived at the centre.
Describing the fact that Wawa was found alone as worrying, SWD director William Baya said: "Orphans are rescued and sent to BSBCC from time to time, indicating that their mother may have been killed for their parts as part of an illegal trade business.
"There are no medicinal values of consuming Sun bear parts."
He said they would take action against those who continue to poach sun bears and other protected wildlife species.
Offenders may face penalty of up to five years' jail term or a maximum of RM50,000 fine, or both, he added. — Bernama