Our sun bears are fed ant eggs, silkworm larvae, meat and plants. This diet closely replicates the kind of food they’d find in the wild.
Wild sun bears climb high up in the treetops to search of insects or sap. Their strong jaw muscles, large canines and sickle-like claws help them to crush the bark of hardwood trees to get at burrowing insects or stingless bees nesting within. Using their long tongue, they can extract insects and honey from even the tiniest crevices.
Receiving the best of care
To stimulate the bears mentally and physically, keepers come up with food enrichment ideas, like hiding sunflower seeds under logs and rocks to encourage foraging behaviour. The bears’ favourite is the honey-drizzled coconut stuffed with sugarcane - they make short work of it with their powerful bite.
In case their sweet tooth causes any decay, our bears are conditioned for voluntary oral inspection. This allows our vets to give dental care with minimal stress all round.
Small but feisty
Though it’s the smallest bear, the sun bear is one of the fiercest animals found in the Southeast Asian forest. It is known to battle even tigers and large pythons when threatened. Its short, dark-brown coat is unusually dense for a bear living in the tropics. If a predator latches on during a struggle, the sun bear can turn in its loose skin and return the bite. This bear is also nimble on its feet and can move very quickly when it wants to.
Together, we protect wildlife
Free the bears
Cute and cuddly, sun bear cubs are often captured for the illegal pet trade. Many a mother sun bear has been killed trying to protect her cubs from poachers. Trade on social media further compounds the issue.
We support Free The Bears in their rescue work. Join us in turning things around for wildlife.
The IUCN Status
VU
Vulnerable
At high risk of extinction in the wild
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species is widely recognized as the most comprehensive, objective global approach for evaluating the conservation status of plant and animal species.
DD
Data Deficient
Unknown risk of extinction
LC
Least Concern
At relatively low risk of extinction
NT
Near Threatened
Likely to become vulnerable in the near future
VU
Vulnerable
At high risk of extinction in the wild
EN
Endangered
At very high risk of extinction in the wild
CR
Critically Endangered
At extremely high risk of extinction in the wild
EW
Extinct in the Wild
Survives only in captivity
EX
Extinct
No surviving individuals in the wild or in captivity