Two Sun Bear Cubs Rescued From The Illegal Wildlife Trade Begin Their Road To Recovery

Two sun bear cubs, Mano and Henri, have been given a second chance at life after being rescued from the illegal wildlife trade in Indonesia. The young cubs, who were destined for lives in captivity far from their natural habitat, are now being taught the essential survival skills they missed out on, thanks to the devoted care they are receiving from JAAN Indonesia, with critical support from the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).

Mano’s remarkable rescue unfolded when Indonesian authorities, acting on a tip-off, intercepted an illegal wildlife trafficking operation intended to smuggle her from Indonesia to Dubai. At just three months old, Mano was saved from a vehicle in Jakarta, weighing a mere 2.3 kilograms.

Henri’s fate was similarly grim. He was found by the Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry, living alone in a cage at only seven months old. Like Mano, he was likely destined for the same fate. Now, both cubs are in the care of JAAN Indonesia, where they are learning vital survival skills that they would have learned from their mothers in the wild, such as tree climbing and foraging for food. The rehabilitation of these precious cubs is made possible through a collaboration with IFAW, which has been instrumental in supporting JAAN’s efforts.

“Sun bears are the world’s smallest and most vulnerable bear species. Illegal wildlife trade, along with forest degradation, are the main causes for the decline of sun bears in their habitat. We work with JAAN and Indonesian authorities to ensure animals confiscated in illegal trade receive the best care, and support JAAN’s rehabilitation efforts. The ultimate end goal is to reintroduce these animals back into the wild, where they will be a valuable part of the population,” said IFAW’s Program Director for Wildlife Rescue, Neil Greenwood, while highlighting the importance of this partnership.

Femke den Haas, co-founder of JAAN, emphasized the urgency of beginning the rehabilitation process for both bears as soon as they were rescued. Neither cub had the opportunity to learn essential survival skills from their mothers, making immediate intervention crucial.

“Mano has been with us for six months now. She has two dedicated carers who take turns looking after her 24/7, just as her mother would have. When she first arrived, she needed milk every two hours. As she grew, we built a special enclosure for her so she could learn how to climb and find food, such as termites. Last November, she graduated to our Forest School, where her carers spend all day with her as she explores the treetops, and then sleep beside her enclosure at night. Mano is now starting to fold leaves to make a nest in trees, which is a very positive sign,” said Femke.

The next step in Mano’s rehabilitation will be to fit her with a GPS tracker and release her into a protected national park, far from human threats. Henri, on the other hand, is still catching up with his training. Having spent much of his early life in a cage, Henri has been slower to learn essential skills. However, with the patience and dedication of his carers, Henri is gradually learning how to climb trees, crack coconuts, and forage for crickets.

“Henri and Mano bonded when they were in the same custom-built enclosure late last year, but unfortunately, Henri still has much to learn, so we couldn’t take him to Forest School with Mano,” Femke explained. “He is improving, though, and I’m hopeful that one day he will have learned enough survival skills to also be fitted with a GPS tracker and released into the national park, in partnership with the Ministry of Forestry and Environment.”

IFAW’s ongoing commitment to these vital efforts highlights the necessity of a comprehensive approach to wildlife protection and conservation. Through these initiatives, IFAW not only focuses on rehabilitating and safeguarding individual animals but also addresses major challenges like wildlife trafficking and habitat destruction.

“We have worked alongside JAAN on many projects, disrupting wildlife trafficking networks, training law enforcement teams, and rehabilitating wildlife,” said Neil Greenwood. “Providing monthly care costs for Mano and Henri and their GPS collars underscores our commitment to finding a holistic solution to wildlife crime and its impact, and providing care and welfare to those animals directly affected.”

Thanks to the dedicated efforts of JAAN Indonesia and the support of IFAW, Mano and Henri are on a path to freedom. Their story is a powerful reminder of the importance of combating the illegal wildlife trade and preserving the delicate ecosystems that these species inhabit.