Gone too soon: Kukuton the beloved sun bear with a painful past.
KOTA KINABALU: After two years of care and rehabilitation at the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) in Sandakan, Kukuton, a nine-year-old gentle and beloved sun bear, has died.
Kukuton’s story is one of survival and resilience. He 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, Kukuton bore the weight of his traumatic past, displaying signs of self-harm and physical stunting.
Despite these hardships, 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 that he had gone through. He was progressing and showing us every day just how strong he truly was,” said BSBCC founder Wong Siew Te.
Last Thursday, 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 a Facebook posting on the BSBCC page.
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 he was back in the forest. We do everything we can to provide the best care for these rescued bears.”
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.
“This process is necessary to prevent him from escaping once he is released into the forest enclosure. We are doing our best to give these rescued bears a second chance at life, despite the challenges they faced at the hands of humans. If you can help stop poaching, please help us,” Wong stressed.
