KOTA KINABALU: The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) is reaching out to generous public to help fund the food and veterinary care for 43 protected sun bears under its care amid the Covid-19 and Movement Control Order uncertainty.
Centre founder and chief executive officer Dr Wong Siew Te said the centre was now facing serious challenge in terms of raising enough funds to pay for the bears' food, maintenance and medical care, among others.
He said the centre had a team of dedicated bear keepers willing to take care of all 43 sun bears despite having no funds to pay their salary.
"They are working everyday, just like before the movement control order (MCO). So, the bears are well taken care of. However, since the centre is temporarily closed to public, we are not able to generate revenue from ticketing and souvenir sales.
"Hence, our income has completely dried-up. At the moment, our sun bears are in the good hands of a dedicated team. They are being fed and given the necessary enrichment," he told New Straits Times when contacted, today.
The wildlife biologist said the sun bears still go to the forest within the centre enclosure before returning to the bear's den every evening.
He said staff, including wildlife veterinarians, was divided into two teams and they would work on a rotation basis.
"Right now, we need funds to help run the centre. We need money to pay for bear food, expenses, salary, maintenance and medicine.
"We are looking at the government assistance especially for small and medium industry. We do have some support, but it is still not enough as it can only cover small portion of the operational costs.
"We still have big portion that is not covered. So, we need to find ways to look for funding to cover the rest of the operational cost," added Wong.
Taking to Facebook and Instagram yesterday, BSBCC pleaded to kind-hearted and generous souls to be part of its bear family and help the centre through this critical period.
"Sun bears need you! All of our 43 adorable rescued sun bears rely highly on kind-hearted souls for their food, enrichment, and veterinary care - especially during and after the MCO period where the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on our main revenue will last even longer due to its negative impact on tourism.
"So, be a part of our bear family and please help us through this critical period. Every little effort counts.”
"For more information please visit bsbcc.org.my or directly contact us through Facebook messenger or email us at info.bsbcc@gmail.com," it posted.