Bear, Sun

Scientific name: Helarctos malayanus

Size: 1.2-1.5m

Origin: Asia

Diet: Omnivore

IUCN status: Vulnerable

Threats: Deforestation (in Sumatra and Borneo, conversion of forests to palm oil plantations); hunted for use of its parts in traditional medicine, and for the pet trade

Zoos I have seen them: Belfast Zoo, Edinburgh Zoo

Interesting fact: It is a widely-known fact that the sun bear gets its common name from the light-coloured patch on its neck and chest, which according to local legend, represents the rising sun. In fact, the genus Helarctos (meaning ‘sun bear’) was first used to reflect the fact that the bear lives on the equator near the “hot sun” (Horsefield, 1825).

For more information, please read my personal project on sun bears.

Reference: Horsfield, T. 1825. Description of the Helarctos euryspilus; exhibiting in the bear from the island of Borneo, the type of a subgenus of Ursus. Zoological Journal, 2, pp.221–234.