Baseline Study of Sun Bears in Brunei Darussalam

The public is invited to participate in the questionnaire by clicking on the link for the forms:

Deadline : 31st March 2022

Participants of the questionnaire will remain anonymous and have the option to leave their contact at the end.

Video of a male Sun Bear (Helarctos malayanus) that appears to be marking a tree with its scent. Click image if the video does not play automatically.

This questionnaire is part of the Baseline Study of Sun Bears in Brunei Darussalam; a collaborative study conducted by the Forestry Department, Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism (MPRT), Institute for Biodiversity and Environmental Research (IBER), Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), and Borneo Futures Sdn. Bhd. The project has been developed to execute the Sun Bear Conservation Action Plan 2019-2028 in Brunei Darussalam, contributing to the overall action plans for the species across its Asian range to ensure survival and lay the groundwork to help achieve a long-term vision for the future of Sun Bear Helarctos malayanus.

The Sun Bear is classified as ‘Vulnerable’ (35% decreased in global population) on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The species inhabits the tropical forest of Southeast Asia and it is the smallest bear with an overall body length of roughly 1.0m to 1.5m. They take their name from the horseshoe shape or white patch on their chest. No two markings are the same. They are also known as a honey bear for their love of honey.

Further information are available here: Borneo Bulletin, Media Permata

Acknowledgement: The research team would like to thank the Brunei Forestry Department, MPRT for granting an entry permit (ref. no. JPH/UND/17) to conduct research. We are indebted to Joremy Tony, Justin Jeffrey and Mazaini Mahari for their assistance with camera trap deployment and data collection. We are grateful for the support by IBER, UBD and, Panthera and the Robertson Foundation.

Text by Dr Salwa Khalid. Video by Salwa Khalid and Ulmar Grafe.