By Olivia Miwil
February 12, 2026 @ 7:46pm
KOTA KINABALU: A Sun Bear cub kept for public viewing at a tourist attraction in Sabah has been rescued, while a man believed to be the premises' owner or manager was detained.
Sabah Wildlife director Mohd Soffian Abu Bakar said the department received a public complaint on Feb 11 after a Facebook video surfaced showing the species at the attraction.
Following the complaint, an enforcement operation was carried out on Feb 12 under the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997 (WCE 1997).
"The raid discovered a Sun Bear cub being kept inside the premises for public viewing. A man believed to be the owner or manager of the premises was detained to assist in the investigation," he said.
In a separate operation, another man was detained at a food premises in Lahad Datu for allegedly possessing three Sun Bear canines used as ornaments.
"A man was detained for further investigation and the exhibits were seized," Mohd Soffian added.
The department said the Sun Bear (Helarctos malayanus) is a Totally Protected species under Schedule 1 of the WCE 1997, and no licence or permit is issued to the public to hunt, possess, keep, or display the species.
"If convicted, the accused may be fined not less than RM50,000 and not more than RM250,000 and face imprisonment of not less than 1 year and not more than 5 years," he said.
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