There was an emotional milestone this month for the team at the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) as Manja embarked on the next stage of her rehabilitation, leaving the sanctuary where she has been cared for and travelling to Tabin Wildlife Reserve to begin her soft release into the wild.
Manja’s story began in February 2026, when the tiny sun bear cub was discovered alone, weak and orphaned in a palm oil plantation in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. Estimated to be just three months old and weighing only 2.2kg, she would almost certainly not have survived without intervention.
Over the past five months, BSBCC’s dedicated team has nursed her back to health. Now around eight months old and weighing more than 10kg, Manja has regained her strength and is climbing, foraging and behaving increasingly like a wild bear.
That progress is exactly why the timing of her move to Tabin is so important.
Young bears adapt far more readily to life in the forest than older animals that have spent years in human care. By transferring Manja while she is still developing, the team is giving her the very best opportunity to learn the skills she needs, become independent and, ultimately, live as a truly wild sun bear.
The journey to her new home took almost five hours with Maja travelling in a specially designed animal crate. The rehabilitation team stopped regularly to monitor her condition, offer food and ensure she remained safe and comfortable. By the time she arrived at Camp Tenom, the next chapter of her life could finally begin.
We look forward to following Manja’s progress, alongside Tenom and Pitang who were previously released to Tabin by BSBCC.
Images: BSBCC
