Sun Bear in Malaysia: Everything to Know

Like wild orangutan in Borneo, the Malaysian sun bear is another treasure for your Malaysia tour. Although it may not be as powerful as the polar bear, the sun bear in Malaysia has a kind of affinity even as adorable as the giant panda (critically endangered also) and with a lovely name - the honey bear. Read on for more fun facts and info about the smallest, and perhaps the cutest member of the bear family.

Facts About Sun Bear (Helarctos Malayanus)

Known as the smallest member of the bear family, the sun bear is characterized by the sun-colored collar on its chest, like the rising sun. It also has two sub-species, from the Malayan sun bear to the Bornean sun bear, the latter of which is only found on the island of Borneo.

Sun Bear

Sun Bear in Malaysia

The sun bear in Malaysia belongs to the Bornean sub-species. It is smaller than the Malayan sun bear, often no larger than an adult human. This might be due to their habits.

As omnivores, sun bears rarely include meat in their diet. They have a definite preference for sweets, such as honey and fruits, with their long tongues plunging deep into ants' or bees' hives. These bears are also skilled tree climbers, as agile as monkeys. They typically nest in canopies high above the ground. With their shy nature, they tend to forage for food at night if the area is frequented by humans, making binoculars quite necessary during your jungle adventure in Malaysia, one of the best ways to capture their lazy sunbathing.

Size of the Sun Bear in Malaysia & More

Where Do Sun Bears Live in Malaysia

Bornean Sun Bear, as the name suggests, sun bears in Malaysia live in the dense montane forests and lowland scrublands of Borneo Island, such as the Kinabatangan River, where you may have the opportunity to see wild sun bears. Another home to the smallest member of the bear family is Sepilok in Sabah, with a conservation center that cares for the dwindling numbers of them.

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Where to See Sun Bear in Malaysia

Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center, Sepilok

Located within walking distance of the Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary, the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center is widely regarded as the best place to see sun bears in Malaysia, just a 30-minute drive from Sandakan City. It was set up to rescue and rehabilitate sun bears, where you can not only learn more about these lovely bears, but also get up close and personal with them.

From the large open viewing platform, you can take your binoculars and look out over the bears in their natural habitat. Wander through the jungle and hang out in the trees with other furry friends like long-tailed macaques and giant squirrels. You can also volunteer to improve their living conditions by providing leaves for bedding, cleaning spaces for better hygiene, and placing food on branches.

Although there is no direct feeding activity (to minimize the human content of the food so that they can be released back into the wild), you can still catch the sun bears at dinner time, patiently picking insects and fruit from their special food containers, which are very similar to their natural ones.

Kinabatangan River, Sabah

Also known as the Corridor of Life, the vibrant shores and well-protected rainforests make the Kinabatangan River one of the best places to spot wild sun bears in Malaysia, suitable for a slow cruise winding through the river, catching the splashing wings of birds, drinking pygmy elephants, resting clouded leopards, jumping monkeys and sleeping sun bears in the canopy.

However, due to their shy and solitary nature, it should be noticed that sun bears in Malaysia are not that easy to spot in the wild. To meet this adorable friend, patience and perseverance are necessary, as well as luck.

The good news is that it's only a 2-hour drive from Sandakan to the Kinabatangan River, which also takes you past Sepilok Forest Reserve. This makes the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center easily accessible before your Kinabatangan River adventure, ensuring a memorable Malaysia holiday that includes both the adorable sun bears and a jungle safari.

Best Time to See Sun Bear in Malaysia

Although sun bears can be active all year round without hibernation, as well as the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center is open daily, the best time to see them in Malaysia is between March and September. This is the dry season in Sabah, with more sunny days and pleasant temperatures suitable for deep into the forest reserve or primeval rainforest along the Kinabatangan River.

For more opportunities to capture the wild sun bear or their lively activities, try to make your adventure in April and May, a busy time for them to forage for food, or the fruit harvest season between June and August to enjoy their feast.

Tips for Malaysia Sun Bear Visiting

Bring Your Binoculars

Due to their shy and timid nature, you may find that sun bears are more active at night during your trip to Malaysia, spending more time in the trees during the day. Although there are some sun bears that come close to humans at the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, carrying binoculars will be very helpful in capturing their detailed movements.

Restrain Your Excitement

If you are lucky enough to encounter wild sun bears up close, congratulations! However, always remember to keep your excitement in check. Keep your voice low, slow your pace, and avoid close contact, as they can become aggressive when startled. Simply take a photo as a memento and leave them undisturbed in their natural habitat.

Start Your Safari at Night

Though sun bears are diurnal, they are also known to be nocturnal, using the darkness of night as camouflage to avoid humans and other predators. If you are a true adventurer, a night safari in Malaysia could satisfy your curiosity, providing more opportunities to spot these tiny bears.

Capture Animal Friends in Malaysia With Odynovo

A land of rainforests and wildlife, a trip to Malaysia can be both exciting and full of surprises. From the adorable sun bear to the clever orangutan, contact us at [email protected] and journey with Odynovo on a leisurely river cruise to paradise and encounter even more animal friends.