Sun Bears whilst look human when they stand, they actually have the natural behaviour of standing on their hind feet for a greater view of their surroundings or smell far-off objects; they also try to intimidate their enemies by displaying the chest patch if threatened.
Kyra and Inderea, the newest residents at Paradise Wildlife Park, exhibit this behaviour, showing the stance that has currently taken the world by storm.
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Kyra and Inderea, have settled into their new habitats of Sun Bear Heights here at the Park and have been a visitor favourite with their quirky behaviour!
Sun Bears (Helarctos Malayanus), the smallest member of the bear family, can be found in the dense lowland forests of Southeast Asia. From southern China to Indonesia, sun bears, also known as Malayan sun bears earned their name from the bright golden patch on their chest. These markings have been part of legends saying they represent the rising sun. Whilst sun bears are the smallest species of bear, they still hold a stocky, muscular build with a thick but sleek black coat acting as a prevention to overheating in the humid tropical weather whilst providing protection from branches.
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Sun bears are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List due to the illegal bear bile farm trade found in Southeast Asia. Bear bile farming is an illegal trade that sadly has devasted sun bears, moon bears and brown bears across Asia and parts of Europe. Bears are poached from the wild and held in tiny cages off of the ground that they can barely turn around in. The bears then have the bile from their gallbladders extracted in horrific ways which are then used in traditional Asian medicines, none of which are scientifically proven. It is believed that there could still be as many as 20,000 sun bears, moon bears and brown bears being kept in illegal bear bile farms today.
Here at Paradise Wildlife Park, Sun Bear Heights raises awareness of the threats faced and the need for the conservation and protection of sun bears. Working alongside our incredible conservation partner Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre BSBCC, who work hands-on to aid in the protection and conservation of the species. Their mission statement aims: ‘to promote sun bear conservation through animal welfare, conservation, rehabilitation, education, and research, giving captured sun bears a better home and restoring their right to live in the wild.’ Giles Clark, a previous zoo keeper at Paradise Wildlife Park, an ambassador for our sister site The Big Cat Sanctuary and was recently seen on ‘Bears About the House’ on BBC 2. Giles noted: ‘It’s amazing to have sun bears at Paradise Wildlife Park. It’s an incredible chance to raise some much-needed awareness for bears and the atrocious bear bile farms.’
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