The smallest of the eight bear species, the Malayan sun bear inhabits the dense tropical and subtropical forests of south-east Asia, the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo. Populations may also be present in southern China and north-east India, but are known to have become extinct in east Tibet, Sichuan (China), Manipur state, Assam and the upper Chitwan district of India. While there are currently no known reliable estimates of the remaining sun bear populations, it is known that their numbers are declining. It is likely that populations in many areas are now fragmented into small subpopulations, sustaining increasing mortality and suffering the affects of isolation.

The illegal wildlife trade (where animals are trapped for bear meat in restaurants, for traditional medicinal properties and for keeping as exotic pets) and habitat destruction (for logging and conversion to agriculture) are the major threats to the Malayan sun bear. Although the sun bear is protected under CITES, a lack of strong wildlife legislation means this protection is difficult to enforce.
Zoos SA is part of the regional captive breeding program for the Malayan sun bear, and in 2007 imported a new female from Singapore Zoo. Attempts are underway to breed with this recently acquired female. The regional Malayan sun bear studbook is also maintained by Zoos SA staff. Adelaide Zoo, through its Planetkeeper program, supports Free the Bears Inc. and Animals Asia Foundation.
Since 2004, over $15,000 has been donated to Free the Bears Inc. and Animals Asia Foundation. Free the Bears Inc. is an organisation aiming to “protect, preserve and enrich the lives of bears throughout the world”. Established in 1993, Free the Bears Inc. is now active in Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Kalimantan and India, and to date have saved 596 bears (Malayan sun bears, Asiatic black bears and sloth bears). Animals Asia Foundation is a Hong Kong based animal welfare charity, aiming to “improve the lives of all animals in Asia, end cruelty and restore respect for animals Asia-wide” through investigation, negotiation and education.

Further donations towards in situ Malayan sun bear conservation are raised through Adelaide Zoo’s Boileau Behind the Scenes Tours. Come and visit our Malayan sun bears on the “Bears at Breakfast” tour, learn more about them directly from their keepers, and personally contribute towards Malayan sun bear conservation.