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2 August 2024 Hand-rearing and developmental milestones of a Bornean sun bear
Boon Nie Yeoh, Yen Wah Seng, Siew Te Wong, Nabila Sarkawi
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

Understanding cub growth and developmental milestones is one crucial key in determining the success of conservation breeding of the endangered Bornean sun bear (Helarctos malayanus euryspilus). One Bornean sun bear was successfully hand-raised from 9 days old until weaning at the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, Malaysia in 2021. Maternal–cub interaction was recorded for the first 8 days before separation for hand-rearing because of a wound infection. This paper provides the details of the growth rate, milk consumption, behavior, and developmental milestones of the hand-reared cub. Health complications such as septicemia, gastrointestinal illness, and hair graying arose during the hand-rearing but were treated successfully with medicines and dietary supplements. This information can also serve as a crucial reference in the age estimation of rescued sun bear cubs from illegal pet trading and thereby facilitate cub management in captivity.

Boon Nie Yeoh, Yen Wah Seng, Siew Te Wong, and Nabila Sarkawi "Hand-rearing and developmental milestones of a Bornean sun bear," Ursus 2024(35e13), 1-9, (2 August 2024). https://doi.org/10.2192/URSUS-D-24-00009R1
Received: 10 March 2024; Accepted: 16 May 2024; Published: 2 August 2024
KEYWORDS
developmental milestone
growth rate
hand-rearing
Helarctos malayanus euryspilus
Malaysia
milk consumption
rehabilitation
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