Watch him here !

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The newly opened sun bear education exhibit features information about the sun bears’ physical characteristics, ecology, conservation & research, and human-bear interactions. Visitors can learn in playful interactive ways about the fascinating characteristics of sun bears, learn how radio waves are used to track sun bears in the wild, and what they can do to assist sun bear conservation.

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In early April 2009 two men pulled up outside the offices of Kawasan Wisiata Pendidikan  Lingkungan Hidup (KWPLH). They had a small red cooler box; in the box was a bear cub. Although we are not authorized to except wildlife, we felt that we had little choice in these circumstances.

The cub, who we named Anjari, was about 4 months old when he came to KWPLH. He was been born in the forest and then taken captive. We imagine that his mother met with a worse fate. Unlike most ex-pet bears Anjari was still young, and thus a
candidate for release.

In May, Anjari was moved to the Wehea Protection Forest, also in East Kalimantan. Once in the forest, Anjari began the release process, which can take up to two years. Shortly after dawn each day, he sets out to explore his new territory, accompanied by a human minder. The minder stays with the cub all day. Every evening Anjari returns to a cage for a meal and to sleep. This allows Anjari to learn about the forest in safety and also establishes a home range for him.

Essentially, we try to replace his mother as best we can. Sun bear cubs usually stay with the mother for 2-3 years. Gradually, Anjari’s size and knowledge will increase. After 1.5 to 2 years, Anjari will be nearly full grown and have enough experience. At this point a radio collar will be attached. Anjari will be still tracked until he has proven succesful at living in the wild.

For Anjari’s release KWPLH works in cooperation with the Wehea Protection Forest. Release and rehabilitation is a long and costly process, we thank everyone that has made it possible by donating funds!

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As one of the world’s leading experts on the sun bear, Gabriella Fredriksson knows the importance of the sun bear to the forests of South East Asia. In an unprecedented effort to combine conservation, environmental education, and awareness, Gabriella has started an environmental education and recreation facility for the residents of the Balikpapan Municipality in East Kalimantan, Indonesia.

In addition to the sun bear enclosure, the facility aims to develop numerous interactive educational displays which will highlight critical conservation issues for sun bears and other species found in the region. This facility is truly one of a kind, and with hundreds of thousands of visitors per year it is sure to promote awareness and conservation in Indonesia and beyond.

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The Kawasan Wisata Pendidikan Lingkungan Hidup (KWPLH) aims to increase environmental awareness among the local population through environmental education combined with recreation. The center features currently a 1.3 ha natural enclosure for 5 ex-pet sun bears. Over the last two years we have also developed a domestic animal program (cats and dogs) which is currently focusing on education of care-taking (health and nutrition), but also aimed at differentiating between wild and domestic animals. We house some 100+ cats and 6 dogs at the center, all strays that have now been neutered and are well taken care of. A careful cat adoption programme has been started.

KWPLH works closely together with the local government in Balikpapan which gives an annual grant that covers much of the operational costs of the center, including a large part of feeding the animals on a daily basis. Outside funds are sought for medical care for the animals, new animal facilities (small clinic, new quarantine, new cat enclosure), as well as special education exhibits. The message wild animals do not make good pets can be promoted by incorporating domestic animals into conservation programs with a new message: domestic animals make good pets. With an emphasis on the differences between domesticated and exotic animals, the domesticated species can become a valuable tool in the effort to reduce the demand for non-domesticated animals by the public.

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This information gazebo will stress the main threats to the ecosystems in Kalimantan. Forest fires will receive special attention as this man-made disaster that is currently recurring on an annual basis has devastated enormous areas of forest over the last two decades. In 1997-’98 some 10 million ha of forest were affected in Indonesian Borneo alone. Other threats to forest ecosystems like plantation development, unsustainable logging, and large scale mining will be discussed.

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The forest function/ecosystem gazebo will focus on the rich variety of ecosystems to be found on Borneo, ranging from mangrove forests, peat swamps to the higher montane areas. The important functions these forests fulfill as water catchment areas, nurseries for fisheries, and their rich varied biodiversity will be highlighted topics. The Sungai Wain Protection Forest, which has provided the Balikpapan oil industry with water for oil refineries for nearly 60 years, will be presented as a case study. The economic value of the clean water supplied by a forest is quite remarkable (in the case of Sungai Wain with its 10,000 hectares the estimated value is close to $6 million US annually).

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This information gazebo will focus on the large number of endemic mammals (like the proboscis monkey, the Bornean orangutan), birds (like the Bornean ground cuckoo or peacock pheasant), fish, and plants of the island.

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Title: International Save Bears Day 2011
Location: Plaza Balikpapan
Description: Fundraising for Sun Bear of KWPLH
Date: 2011-02-21

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