Conservation Area of Sun Bear

In 2002 the sun bear became the mascot of Balikpapan. Interest and local media attention on sun bears has been aroused by a research project on sun bears and forest conservation programme focusing on the Sungai Wain Protection Forest, started in 1997 by Gabriella Fredriksson.

Following the adoption of sun bears as the mascot of Balikpapan, several bears were confiscated from private owners. These bears were placed in barred cages at the km 23 Agrowisata location.

In 2003, the then Mayor of Balikpapan Pak Imdaad Hamid, requested advice and support in developing the dilapidated Agrowisata location into an environmental education center. Two years were spent developing an overall site plan, sourcing funds to develop a natural enclosure for the confiscated sun bears, and securing long-term support from the local government.

In February of 2005 physical site development began with the building of the sun bear enclosure. In August of 2005, management and development of the facility was legally handed over to the Management Board for the Sungai Wain Protection Forest (BP – HLSW). The BP-HLSW is the first multi-stakeholder non-government, non-profit, forest management organization established in the region. Currently, the Sungai Wain Management Board consists of three implementing agencies, one for the management of the Sungai Wain Protection Forest (UP-HLSW) one for management of the KWPLH education facility (UP-KWPLH), and one for the newly established botanical garden.

Indonesia is one of the biologically most diverse countries in the world with an impressive number of endemic wildlife species and incredibly rich natural resources. Unfortunately, these important resources are heavily over-exploited and wildlife together with their (forest) habitats are disappearing at an alarming rate. In Indonesia levels of environmental awareness are low and education regarding conservation needs and environmental issues is virtually absent.

KWPLH, with its main partner Pro Natura Foundation, work towards increasing conservation and environmental awareness through:

CREATING AN ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION FACILITY WHERE ALL ACTIVITIES EMBODY PRINCIPLES OF WISE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND CONSERVATION;

PROVIDING ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION THROUGH OUR SUN BEAR ENCLOSURE, INTERACTIVE EDUCATION DISPLAYS AND PROGRAMS FOR SCHOOLS AND OTHER COMMUNITY GROUPS;

EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE PLIGHT OF THE SUN BEAR (BERUANG MADU), BALIKPAPAN’S MASCOT, THROUGH A NATURALISTIC ENCLOSURE FOR 7 CONFISCATED SUN BEARS AND INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR ECOLOGY, BEHAVIOUR, AND THREATS TO THEIR EXISTENCE;

HIGHLIGHTING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN WILDLIFE AND PETS THROUGH OUR DOMESTIC ANIMAL EDUCATION PROGRAM;

PROVIDING ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO THE REGION’S RESIDENTS AND VISITORS.

KWPLH primarily receives funding for management and running costs from the local government through the Environmental Department in Balikpapan. Pro Natura Foundation assists with funding and implementation of various aspects of the animal management (health care, food, facility maintenance and new building), as well as development of most education exhibits and facilities at KWPLH.

You also can adopt a cat or a dog here!! <3 <3

Various other private and corporate donors have helped with the development of KWPLH and we are very grateful for their support!

SUMMARY INFORMATION :

Entrance Fee        :  FREE (but you can donate to help the conservation of sunbears)

Address        : St. Soekarno-Hatta Km. 23, No. 185 RT. 42, Karang Joang, North Balikpapan, Balikpapan City, East Kalimantan 76127

Website                :  ww.beruangmadu.com

Telephone            :  0811-5378-169