Sun bears, the smallest bear species, are native to Southeast Asian forests. Increasing numbers are rescued from the illegal pet trade and palm oil plantation conflicts, requiring specialized sanctuary care.
Sun bears are highly intelligent, curious, and active animals. Their welfare in captivity depends on complex environments that allow climbing, digging, foraging, and exploration — all behaviors suppressed in impoverished enclosures. Bears rescued from the pet trade may have spent years in small cages, leading to severe behavioral abnormalities that require years of patient rehabilitation. Sun bears are generally solitary and can be aggressive with conspecifics, so social housing must be carefully managed. High-quality welfare requires naturalistic forest environments with varied substrates, denning opportunities, and complex foraging challenges that engage their considerable cognitive abilities.