SUN BEAR

Conservation Status:

Vulnerable

Scientific Classification

Kingdom           : Animalia

Phylum             : Chordata

Class                : Mammalia

Order                : Carnivora

Suborder           : Caniformia

Family               : Ursidae

Subfamily          :Ursinae

Genus               : Helarctos

Species             : Helarctos malayanus

Trinomial Name:

 Helarctos malayanus

Physical Description

The sun bear can be clearly distinguished from other bears by a white or yellowish patch on the chest. Sun bears are excellent climbers and spend considerable time in trees. They feed on sweet fruits, small rodents, birds, termites, and other insects.

Size
Length: 120-150cm
Weight: 35-80kg

Habitat
Southeast Asian tropical forests, including tropical evergreen rainforest, montane forest and swamp habitat.

Range States
Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Viet Nam

Population and Distribution

The Sun Bear was formerly widespread in the lowland forests of South East Asia. However, it has mostly disappeared in recent decades from most of its former ranges. Nevertheless, Sun Bear is still found widespread in a few protected areas in Cambodia 's Mondolkiri province and Virachey National Park. It is thought that the population fallen by more than 30% in the last 30 years.

What are the main threats?

Like other bears in Asia, Sun bears are hunted for their gall bladders and other body parts for medicinal uses that have been proven by scientist to have no medical value at all.

Female nursing sun bears are sometimes killed and their cubs are captured to be sold in the pet trade.

Habitat destruction caused by clearance for plantation development and illegal logging is also another major threat to the small remaining critical population of this species.