Kukuton, the gentle and beloved sun bear at the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, has died.
KOTA KINABALU: After two years at the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) in Sandakan, Kukuton, a gentle and beloved sun bear, has died at age nine of cardiac failure.
Kukuton was rescued after being kept in a small cage for seven years as an illegal pet, following the tragic loss of his mother to poachers.
Arriving at BSBCC, carers saw that Kukuton bore the weight of his traumatic past, with signs of self-harm and physical stunting.
Despite his troubled past, his soft, inquisitive eyes and gentle demeanour won over the hearts of those who cared for him.
"Kukuton was a sweet and resilient bear, despite everything he had been through. He was making progress and showing us every day just how strong he truly was,” recounted BSBCC founder Wong Siew Te about the sun bear who died last Thursday (Oct 17).
On the day of his passing, Kukuton was undergoing routine fence training, a vital process for preparing rescued bears to safely transition into the forest enclosure.
This training helps bears recognise the electrical fence that marks their boundaries.
Unfortunately, the stress from the session triggered underlying health issues, and Kukuton suffered a cardiac failure.
“His keepers acted swiftly, but despite their best efforts, Kukuton could not be revived,” Wong explained in the Facebook post on the same day.
Wong explained that the training was necessary for Kukuton's eventual release into a larger, more natural environment.
"He needed to go through this process to ensure his safety once in the forest. We are doing everything we can to provide the best care for these rescued bears," he added
Kukuton's passing has sparked concern from supporters who questioned whether his condition was properly monitored during the training.
In response, Wong explained that such training is essential for the bears' safety.
"He needed to go through this process to ensure he wouldn’t escape once released into the forest enclosure. We are doing our best to give these rescued bears a second chance at life, despite the challenges they've faced at the hands of humans. If you can help stop poaching, please help us,” Wong stressed.
He added that the best situation is to let these bears live in the wild, but sadly, they were at risk of poachers who put them in captivity.
“If we can stop poaching, we can prevent this suffering.
"Let us remember Kukuton for the love he had for his keepers and his playful antics. His memory will inspire us to continue our fight for the protection of these incredible animals,” Wong said.
