18 July 2022 Update

I’m happy to write that the construction of a new large forest enclosure at the Samboja Lestari rescue centre in East Kalimantan, Indonesia, is progressing steadily under the supervision of Philip Stubley, our long term volunteer. In the end, in view of the increasing number of bears at Samboja, we decided to make the enclosure bigger than planed: it will be near to 1 Ha in size and will be the new home for 5 bears.

The holding capacity of the existing 19 outdoor sun bear enclosures at Samboja Lestari is of 68 individuals, but the sanctuary now has 71 bears. Overcapacity means that some bears do not have access to outdoors, which is a concern regarding animal welfare. The construction of a new 1 Ha forest enclosure will thus allow 5 individuals to live in respectable captive conditions rather than just 2 or 3 as originally planned.

Of course the cost is greater and has now gone up to 50.000 € instead of the 30.000 € originally budgeted. But Sun Bear Outreach should be able to pay the extra cost thanks to our generous donors. Thank you all for making this possible.