Along is a Bornean Sun Bear
Text by Tan Wan Teng
Photo by Seng Yen Wah
This is Along. He is a 8 years old Bornean Sun Bear. This is his story.
"Along" is a term for illegal debt collectors in Malaysia, who were often characterized by their ruthless manner as well as gangster image. How Along got this name was from the patches of bald spots on his face that makes him looks like a tough guy. However, all bears from the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center once had a past where no bears should ever be put through.
Along was surrendered to BSBCC together with Simone, a female bear who is 2 years older than Along. Both of them were displayed in a Mini Zoo and Hot Spring in Tawau, Sabah until they were surrendered to the Sabah Wildlife Department where they were quarantined at Lok Kawi Zoo in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
He was described as hyperactive and energetic. When he first got to the center, he was alert and cautious, as expected of any bears who are afraid. He was integrated with Simone and Kudat, a 9 year old male bear. Other than a little aggression with Simone every now and then, but they do get along. Right now, they are the first 3 bears that every personnel will see when they go into the bear house, as they were placed just right at the entrance. They also happened to be the first bears to be introduced to all the new volunteers and interns students.
They came in here in 2016, and two years has gone by. Simone is now known as the chillest bear in the whole group and him sitting like a boss on his hammock. But Along do still seem stressed out and nervous from time to time. He still paces back and forth a lot, sometimes hopping to avoid the tray slide on the cage. Sometimes he is curious when people stand in front on him and he would stop and sniff you; but at times he would feel threatened and express unpleasant with his face.
But all and all, I hope that one day they would be able to go to the forest enclosure and have a bigger space to roam. Along is probably stressed out as the nature of bears are to roam, they are curious tree climbers after all. But I guess today's coconut did cheer him up a little. Unlike the other bears, Along was rather gentle with his coconut, as if he's afraid to waste any bit of the water inside while smashing it open against the floor.
Perhaps, you would like to adopt Along and ensure his coconut supply?
Photo by Seng Yen Wah
This is Along. He is a 8 years old Bornean Sun Bear. This is his story.
Along is observing his surrounding while relaxing inside his basket
Playful Along digging a wood log given to him as a toy
"Along" is a term for illegal debt collectors in Malaysia, who were often characterized by their ruthless manner as well as gangster image. How Along got this name was from the patches of bald spots on his face that makes him looks like a tough guy. However, all bears from the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center once had a past where no bears should ever be put through.
Along looking like a tough guy
Along was surrendered to BSBCC together with Simone, a female bear who is 2 years older than Along. Both of them were displayed in a Mini Zoo and Hot Spring in Tawau, Sabah until they were surrendered to the Sabah Wildlife Department where they were quarantined at Lok Kawi Zoo in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
When Along first arrive at BSBCC with Simone
He was described as hyperactive and energetic. When he first got to the center, he was alert and cautious, as expected of any bears who are afraid. He was integrated with Simone and Kudat, a 9 year old male bear. Other than a little aggression with Simone every now and then, but they do get along. Right now, they are the first 3 bears that every personnel will see when they go into the bear house, as they were placed just right at the entrance. They also happened to be the first bears to be introduced to all the new volunteers and interns students.
They came in here in 2016, and two years has gone by. Simone is now known as the chillest bear in the whole group and him sitting like a boss on his hammock. But Along do still seem stressed out and nervous from time to time. He still paces back and forth a lot, sometimes hopping to avoid the tray slide on the cage. Sometimes he is curious when people stand in front on him and he would stop and sniff you; but at times he would feel threatened and express unpleasant with his face.
Sun bear behaviour 101 - Showing off their canine! Along and Simone meeting for the first time!
But all and all, I hope that one day they would be able to go to the forest enclosure and have a bigger space to roam. Along is probably stressed out as the nature of bears are to roam, they are curious tree climbers after all. But I guess today's coconut did cheer him up a little. Unlike the other bears, Along was rather gentle with his coconut, as if he's afraid to waste any bit of the water inside while smashing it open against the floor.
Along is quick when it comes to coconut!
Perhaps, you would like to adopt Along and ensure his coconut supply?
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