Sun bears — the smallest of all bear species — are highly intelligent, active animals requiring complex, enriched environments to achieve good welfare in captivity.
Sun bear welfare in captivity requires continuous cognitive and physical enrichment. These highly active, curious bears in inadequate enclosures rapidly develop stereotypic pacing and head-swaying. Food-based enrichment — particularly honey logs, termite mounds, and buried food requiring digging — satisfies their strong food-motivation and prevents boredom. Climbing structures are essential for arboreal behaviour expression. Sun bears rescued from the pet trade often have severe social and behavioural deficits requiring years of rehabilitation. The BSBCC in Sabah demonstrates that large, naturalistic enclosures with appropriate enrichment and social management can produce positive welfare outcomes for rescued sun bears.