A Greener Future Through Education

About Us

Vision and Mission
Background and Management
How to Find Us
Contact Us
Who Helped Us

Indonesia is one of the biologically most diverse countries in the world with an impressive number of endemic wildlife species and incredibly rich natural resources. Unfortunately, these important resources are heavily over-exploited and wildlife together with their (forest) habitats are disappearing at an alarming rate. In Indonesia levels of environmental awareness are low and education regarding conservation needs and environmental issues is virtually absent.

In East Kalimantan, one of the largest provinces in Indonesian Borneo we intend to increase this awareness through:

Creating an environmental education facility where all activities embody principles of wise environmental management and conservation;
Providing environmental education through our sun bear enclosure, interactive education displays and programs for schools and other community groups;
Promoting appreciation of Balikpapan’s mascot, the Malayan Sun Bear (beruang madu) through a naturalistic enclosure for 5 confiscated sun bears and information about its life cycle, habitat, and threats to existence;
Highlighting differences between wildlife and pets through a domestic animal education program;
Providing environmentally friendly recreational opportunities to the region’s residents and visitors, including the disabled.

These goals will be accomplished through the Kawasan Wisata Pendidikan Lingkungan Hidup (KWPLH) which translates to Environmental Education and Recreation facility. The KWPLH is a 10 hectare environmental education facility located 23 km north of Balikpapan in East Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo.

Background

KWPLH is located 23 km north of the center of Balikpapan on the Balikpapan-Samarinda road, on 10 hectares of municipal land. The site was originally developed for agricultural tourism (Agrowisata), a national government initiative. After the official opening, these sites were rarely adequately managed and maintained. In the year 2000, following decentralization, the management of these sites was handed over to local governments.

2001

In 2001 the sun bear became the mascot of Balikpapan. Interest and local media attention on sun bears has been aroused by a research project, started in 1997, by Gabriella Fredriksson, on sun bears in the Sungai Wain Protection Forest. Following the adoption of sun bears as mascot, several bears were confiscated from private owners. These bears were placed in barred cages at the Agrowisata location.

2003

In 2003, the mayor of Balikpapan, Pak Imdaad Hamid, requested advice and support in developing the location to provide environmental education. Two years were spent making plans, lobbying local government, and securing long-term support.

2005

In February of 2005 physical site development began with the building of the sun bear enclosure. In August of 2005, management and development of the facility was granted to the Management Board for the Sungai Wain Protection Forest (BP – HLSW).

Management

The Sungai Wain Management Body (BP-HLSW) is the first multi-stakeholder non-government, non-profit organization, forest management organization that has been established in the region. The BP-HLSW consists of two branches, one for the management of the Sungai Wain Protection Forest (UP-HLSW) and another for management of the education facility (UP-KWPLH).

The Sungai Wain Protection Forest is a 10,000 hectare rain forest within the boundaries of Balikpapan. It is home to many endangered species including sun bears, orangutans, and many other primate species. It has been managed by the UP-HLSW for several years and is held as an example of practical and successful forest protection under the district government.

The UP-KWPLH receives funding for management and running costs from the local government in the form of annual grants. This means donated funds goes directly to developing the site and enlarging the capabilities of KWPLH.

Thank you for your interest in visiting our site.

KWPLH Balikpapan provides a wonderful accommodation for 5 sun bears rescued from the illegal pet trade. Sun bears are the mascot of Balikpapan, and many of our current education programs and displays focus on them, in addition the facility has several education buildings, picnic areas and playgrounds.

The Bear Enclosure lies on a 1.3-hectare area. This rainforest is designed to be as comfortable as possible for the five protected “Beruang Madu” (“Helarctos Malayanus” or Sun bears). Visitors can observe them from visitors boardwalk, which partially surrounds the enclosure.

The best time to get a close look at all the bears is at 9am and 3pm. We also have a giftshop, so you can leave with souvenirs in hand!

Location	:	Jl. Soekarno-Hatta, No. 185 RT. 42 Karang Joang District, North Balikpapan, 76127 (Balikpapan-Samarinda Trans Road)
Telephone	:	+62 542 7108304
Website	:	www.beruangmadu.org
E-Mail	:	kwplh.balikpapan@beruangmadu.org
Operating Hours	:	Daily, 9am-5pm
Admission charge	:	Free
Facilities	:	A hall called “Lamin”, a traditional house of “Dayak” people, which can be used to take a break, Bear Information Center, Rumah Kucing (Cat’s House) and a play ground.
How to get there	:	KWPLH Balikpapan, Indonesia. Geo Location at -1.109496,116.904633 Own transport is highly recommended since getting a public transport from this place may not be easy by public transport. To use public transport “Angkot”, take the number “3″ from downtown (the Government office) to “Batu Ampar” terminal (fare: Rp. 6,000). From this terminal, take the Angkot No. “8″ and ask the driver to drop you at the location (sometimes you have to say “KWPLH” or “Agro” or “Kilometer dua-tiga”), time about one hour journey and charge you Rp. 5,000 (a normal charge from terminal to the main road but if you want to ask the driver to drop you in, an additional charge will apply, expect to pay about Rp. 20,000). From the main road, you need to walk in (about one kilometer/1100 yards). Get directions from Google Maps.
Remarks	:	Visiting this site during the feeding time is highly recommended. Do not feed the bears and do not make noise. Visitors will have about one hour to see the bears. Guides are available in Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian language) only.