A Swedish couple venturing outdoors for a chance to see some exotic Sabahan wildlife got more than they bargained for when they found the ravaged remains of a sun bear along the bank of the Kinabatangan River near Sandakan.
Tommy Eriksson and his wife Teuta Hajra made the grisly discovery at around 6pm on January 16, and shared photos of their findings with the Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) today.
mStar reports that Eriksson and Hajra found the lower half of a sun bear, its torso split in two with both hind legs missing, floating down the river towards Kampung Sukau, located near a farming estate.
Eriksson expressed his sadness at finding the remains, and attributes the sun bear’s death to illegal poaching activities.
“We’re sad to see the scale of deforestation in this area,” Hajra added.
“This killing is very cruel. This country has an abundance of amazing wildlife, and I hope their habitat will be well protected.”
The case has been picked up by the Kinabatangan Wildlife Corridor Tourism Operators Association (KiTA) and passed on to the Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) for further action.
A joint statement from the SWD and the BSBCC stressed the violent nature of the killing, and reminded all actors that it was a criminal act.
“Sun bear populations have been threatened by the loss of rain forests, and their remaining habitats are jeopardised by agricultural expansion,” said BSBCC CEO Wong Siew Te.
“What small population is left, is very vulnerable and is in danger of becoming extinct. The sun bear is essential in maintaining a healthy forest ecosystem. Losing the sun bear would be detrimental to the forest at large.”
