Earlier this year, Tenom, a young sun bear under a year old, took her first steps into the Tabin Wildlife Reserve as part of a groundbreaking soft-release project by the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC). With our support in 2021, BSBCC has been able to continue their vital work, paving the way for sun bears like Tenom to return to their natural habitat.
Since her arrival at Tabin Wildlife Reserve in February, Tenom has shown remarkable progress.
Known for her feisty, independent spirit, she quickly adapted to her forest surroundings, developing a love for natural foods like termites and other insects. Her climbing skills are impressive—she spends hours scaling the trees, often exploring the upper reaches of her night den entirely on her own.
Given her adventurous and curious nature, Tenom has always been eager to explore. Unlike other cubs, she doesn’t respond to her name being called, which added a layer of uncertainty to her release. There was real concern that she might wander deep into the reserve and disappear, but Tenom’s natural instincts and keen awareness have shown she’s more than capable of thriving in her new home.
Each day, Tenom continues to amaze her team with feats like climbing 30-metre trees, foraging expertly for invertebrates, and even indulging her honey-hunting instincts (which occasionally leaves her with a swollen face!). Tenom’s journey is a powerful testament to BSBCC’s dedication to reintroducing sun bears to the wild, helping them reclaim their rightful place in Borneo’s forests.
Images: BSBCC
