SANDAKAN: The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre resident sun bear, Sigalung’s passing on May 10, was due to sudden heart and lung failure resulting from an undetected, long-term cardiac condition. The findings, established through a thorough post-mortem examination and histopathological analysis, revealed that his underlying heart disease had progressed silently, ultimately leading to his collapse at the age of 19.
Born in 2007, Sigalung was discovered alongside another cub, Phin, by villagers near a logging camp in the Sipitang district of southwestern Sabah. It is believed their mother was killed, leaving the orphans vulnerable; they were subsequently taken and kept illegally as pets before being rescued. After an initial period at Lok Kawi Wildlife Park, Sigalung was transferred to the BSBCC on 1 March 2014.
Possessing an unforgettable personality, Sigalung matured into a confident, adventurous, and delightfully cheeky bear with a formidable character. Like many adult male sun bears, he was territorial and often unafraid to challenge his peers. Yet, beneath that bold exterior lay a bear who once trembled at the prospect of the wild.
When he first arrived at the centre, he refused to stray from the perceived safety of his den. Through nearly two years of patient and consistent fence training, his dedicated caretakers slowly nurtured his confidence. In July 2017, he finally took his first tentative steps into the forest enclosure—and he rarely looked back. From then on, whenever the guillotine door lifted, Sigalung would charge eagerly into the canopy, even in light rain, spending his days exploring, foraging, and navigating his territory with growing sovereignty.
BSBCC is eternally grateful to have been part of Sigalung’s extraordinary evolution—from a frightened, orphaned cub to a thriving forest dweller. His story is a powerful testament to the resilience of rescued wildlife and the profound impact of giving them the time, space, and compassion needed to heal and flourish. – James Leong
Sigalung the sun bear.
