Sun Bears In European Zoos?

Some corrections in the list:

There are currently 37 (12,25) Sun bears living in Europe (of what i could find).

CZECH REPUBLIC – 5 (2,3)
Zoo Jihlava (1,1)
1,0 Adam (07-11-2006, Zoo Berlin)
0,1 Aja (21-01-2004, Zoo Olomouc)

Zoo Ústí nad Labem (1,2)
1,0 Myanmar (??-01-2002, Yangon Zoo)
0,1 Barma (??-01-2002, Yangon Zoo)
0,1 Batu (16-02-2018, Zoo Ústí nad Labem)

FRANCE – 6 (2,4)
Zoo du Bassin d’Arachon (0,2)
0,1 Lailani (25-02-2008, Tierpark Berlin)
0,1 Dara (02-03-2006, Tierpark Berlin)

St Martin la Plaine Zoo (1,1)
1,0 Saï (??-??-????, ?)
0,1 Ipoh (??-??-????, ?)

ZooParc de Trégomeur (1,1)
1,0 Teddy (28-10-1995, Zoo Olomouc)
0,1 Malaka (10-02-1990, Cologne Zoo)

GERMANY - 7 (2,5)
Tierpark Berlin (1,1)
1,0 Johannes (26-04-1996, Tierpark Berlin)
0,1 Tina (25-12-1988, Tierpark Berlin)

Cologne Zoo (0,3)
0,1 Bali (28-06-1993, Cologne Zoo)
0,1 Charlotte (04-12-2006, Cologne Zoo)
0,1 Gula? (25-08-2008, Cologne Zoo)

Alwetterzoo Münster (1,1)
1,0 Frodo (30-05-2004, Tierpark Berlin)
0,1 Josephine (19-03-2000, Zoo Berlin)

THE NETHERLANDS - 7 (0,7)
Burgers’ Zoo (0,5)
0,1 Bunga (29-01-2000, Cologne Zoo)
0,1 Bola (04-08-2000, Cologne Zoo)
0,1 ? (07-05-2019, Burgers’ Zoo)
0,1 ? (07-05-2019, Burgers’ Zoo)
0,1 ? (16-07-2019, Burgers’ Zoo)

Ouwehands Dierenpark Rhenen (0,2)
0,1 Cindy (16-07-2000, Olomouc Zoo)
0,1 Linh (08-04-2011, Tierpark Berlin)

POLAND – 1 (1,0)
Lodz Zoo (1,0)
1,0 Somnang (??-??-2003?, Wild)

SPAIN – 2 (1,1)
Zoo Madrid (1,1)
1,0 Teddy?
0,1 Anabell?

UK – 9 (4,5)
Belfast Zoo (1,1)
1,0 Indera (03-02-2010, Singapore Zoo)
0,1 Bora (10-04-1993, Zoo Ústí nad Labem)

Chester Zoo (1,2)
1,0 Toni (??-??-2007, Wild)
0,1 Milli (??-??-????, Wild)
0,1 Kyra (13-06-2018, Chester Zoo)

Colchester Zoo (1,1)
1,0 Jo-Jo (16-11-2006, Wild)
0,1 Srey Ya (10-05-2007, Wild)

Edinburgh Zoo (1,1)
1,0 Rotana (??-??-2003, Wild)
0,1 Babu (20-06-2011, Zoo Ústí nad Labem)

If you see mistakes or have more information about one of the animals, let me know.
 
It might be a better idea asking this in the Colchester zoo news thread, but does anyone know what is going on with the sun bears at Colchester zoo? I know that when they arrived in 2010 they were not allowed to breed due to where they were housed, but I assume this was no longer in place after they moved into Bears of The Rising Sun in 2014, as I believe it was designed for breeding to take place. I am not sure what has happened since, as although I visit frequently the sun bears are never very visible despite having a state of the art enclosure. And in the probably 20+ times (maybe more, maybe less- I don't count) I have probably visited since then, they are normally at the top of the outside area where the climbing frame is, if visible, and I think about TWICE I have seen them at the bottom area- once at an early morning opening in the summer of 2019 (maybe another occasion that summer as well thinking about it now, I have pictures printed out of Srey Ya eating a carrot about halfway down the hill.), and again on one of my most recent visits (August or October) where they were both sitting together in front of the cave. And, adding to this, I don't think I have ever seen them in their inside area. I think when I visit they are hiding in their off-show dens or in a tunnel connecting them to the outdoor area. I have probably gone into too much detail here, as I do, but basically I would like to find out what the situation is at Colchester with Jo-Jo and Srey Ya and breeding, also maybe and explanation for lack of visibility compared to other animals at the zoo. I do know most of their story before and after arriving at Colchester so that could give you some context of what I know.
Thank you.
Rajang-GOAT
 
At Tierpark Berlin male sun bear Johannes unexpectedly passed away last monday at the age of 25. He was born at Tierpark on April 26, 1996 and lived with his mother Tina. There are no clues about the cause of death yet.

Source
 
Adding to what I said months ago, Jo-Jo and Srey Ya are now a lot more active, but I still haven't seen them inside.
A more relevant question I have is does anyone know what individuals might end up at Paradise Wildlife Park's nearly completed mixed enclosure "Sun Bear Heights"?
 
Rajang-GOAT said:
A more relevant question I have is does anyone know what individuals might end up at Paradise Wildlife Park's nearly completed mixed enclosure "Sun Bear Heights"?
Click to expand...
We have an answer!
Sun Bear Heights UPDATE - A UK First Mixed Species Habitat! - YouTube
Paradise Wildlife Park have released a video on their YouTube giving an update on the ongoing work on Sun Bear Heights, and the facilities for all 3 species. The video also confirms that they have a pair set to arrive and hopefully breed, and the female of this pair is Kyra, born and currently living at Chester Zoo. It also mentions they will do a similar video for the new (redeveloped I believe) Jaguar Jungle enclosure next week.
Edit: it appears the male Sun Bear is Indera from Belfast Zoo.
 
Last edited:
The beginning of the year is a great time to make an updated version of the list. As always, if you see a mistake in the list, or you know more about one of the animals, please let me know.

There are currently 36 (12,24) Sun bears living in Europe (of what i could find).

CZECH REPUBLIC - 5 (3,2,0)
Zoo Jihlava (1,1,0)
1,0 Adam (07-11-2006, Zoo Berlin)
0,1 Aja (21-01-2004, Zoo Olomouc)

Zoo Ústí nad Labem (2,1,0)
1,0 Myanmar (??-01-2002, Yangon Zoo)
1,0 ? (14-07-2022, Zoo Ústí nad Labem)
0,1 Barma (??-01-2002, Yangon Zoo)

FRANCE – 6 (2,4,0)
Zoo du Bassin d’Arachon (0,2,0)
0,1 Lailani (25-02-2008, Tierpark Berlin)
0,1 Dara (02-03-2006, Tierpark Berlin)

St Martin la Plaine Zoo (1,1,0)
1,0 Saï (??-??-????, ?)
0,1 Ipoh (??-??-????, ?)

ZooParc de Trégomeur (1,1,0)
1,0 Teddy (28-10-1995, Zoo Olomouc)
0,1 Malaka (10-02-1990, Cologne Zoo)

GERMANY - 5 (1,4,0)
Tierpark Berlin (1,1,0)
1,0 Frodo (30-05-2004, Tierpark Berlin)
0,1 Josephine (19-03-2000, Zoo Berlin)

Cologne Zoo (0,3,0)
0,1 Bali (28-06-1993, Cologne Zoo)
0,1 Charlotte (04-12-2006, Cologne Zoo)
0,1 Gula (25-08-2008, Cologne Zoo)

THE NETHERLANDS - 7 (0,7,0)
Burgers’ Zoo (0,5,0)
0,1 Bunga (29-01-2000, Cologne Zoo)
0,1 Bola (04-08-2000, Cologne Zoo)
0,1 ? (07-05-2019, Burgers’ Zoo)
0,1 ? (07-05-2019, Burgers’ Zoo)
0,1 ? (16-07-2019, Burgers’ Zoo)

Ouwehands Dierenpark Rhenen (0,2,0)
0,1 Cindy (16-07-2000, Olomouc Zoo)
0,1 Linh (08-04-2011, Tierpark Berlin)

POLAND - 2 (1,1,0)
Lodz Zoo (1,1,0)
1,0 Somnang (??-??-????, Wild)
0,1 Batu (16-02-2018, Zoo Ústí nad Labem)

SPAIN - 2 (1,1,0)
Zoo Madrid (1,1,0)
1,0 Teddy? (??-??-????, ?)
0,1 Anabell? (??-??-????, ?)

UK - 9 (4,5,0)
Belfast Zoo (1,1,0)
1,0 Indera (03-02-2010, Singapore Zoo)
0,1 Bora (10-04-1993, Zoo Ústí nad Labem)

Chester Zoo (1,2,0)
1,0 Toni (??-??-2007, Wild)
0,1 Milli (??-??-????, Wild)
0,1 Kyra (13-06-2018, Chester Zoo)

Colchester Zoo (1,1,0)
1,0 Jo-Jo (16-11-2006, Wild)
0,1 Srey Ya (10-05-2007, Wild)

Edinburgh Zoo (1,1,0)
1,0 Rotana (??-??-2003, Wild)
0,1 Babu (20-06-2011, Zoo Ústí nad Labem)

Besides this list, this time I have also made a short overview of what, as far as I know, happened within the European population last year.

Births
To my knowledge, one sun bear was born in Europe last year. A male at Zoo Ústí nad Labem.

Death
To my knowledge, two sun bears died last year. Male Johannes (25) and female Tina (33).

Transfers
To my knowledge, 3 sun bears moved to another zoo last year.

Number of holders
Allwetterzoo Münster is no longer a holder of sun bear since last year.

Future holders
Paradise Wildlife Park will start holding sun bears later this year.
 
Are any of the bears descended from Bornean sun bears? The population predominantly has Malayan sun bear genes but I was wondering if there were ever confirmed cases of the two subspecies interbreeding in Europe.

Also, what is the plan for the sun bears at the Pafos Zoo? Are they supposed to contribute to the captive population?
 
Recently, two of the three sun bears born in 2019 at Burgers' Zoo have moved to other zoos. In early January, female Badu moved to ZooParc de Trégomeur in France. She was one of the twins born in 2019.

Yesterday, one of the other females moved to Espace Zoologique de Saint Martin la Plaine in France. She was the singleton born in 2019.

Sources:
Facebook ZooParc de Trégomeur
Facebook Burgers' Zoo
 
At Zoo Lodz, sun bear Somnang has passed away. His arthitis got worse over the years, despite therapy. As a result, he had severe joint problems and eventually stopped walking. It was therefore decided to euthanise him.

Somnang has produced 3 offspring in European zoos throughout his life and there is a chance for more, as semen was collected from him after his death, which will be used to inseminate females in the future.

Source: Facebook Zoo Lodz
 
31-year-old sun bear female Bora at Belfast Zoo has died. She was one of the oldest sun bears in European zoos. During a routine check-up, it was apparent that her quality of life had significantly deteriorated. Therefor it was decided to put her to sleep to prevent further decline.

Bron: Facebook Belfast Zoo
 
MennoPebesma said:
The beginning of the year is a great time to make an updated version of the list. As always, if you see a mistake in the list, or you know more about one of the animals, please let me know.

There are currently 36 (12,24) Sun bears living in Europe (of what i could find).

CZECH REPUBLIC - 5 (3,2,0)
Zoo Jihlava (1,1,0)
1,0 Adam (07-11-2006, Zoo Berlin)
0,1 Aja (21-01-2004, Zoo Olomouc)

Zoo Ústí nad Labem (2,1,0)
1,0 Myanmar (??-01-2002, Yangon Zoo)
1,0 ? (14-07-2022, Zoo Ústí nad Labem)
0,1 Barma (??-01-2002, Yangon Zoo)

FRANCE – 6 (2,4,0)
Zoo du Bassin d’Arachon (0,2,0)
0,1 Lailani (25-02-2008, Tierpark Berlin)
0,1 Dara (02-03-2006, Tierpark Berlin)

St Martin la Plaine Zoo (1,1,0)
1,0 Saï (??-??-????, ?)
0,1 Ipoh (??-??-????, ?)

ZooParc de Trégomeur (1,1,0)
1,0 Teddy (28-10-1995, Zoo Olomouc)
0,1 Malaka (10-02-1990, Cologne Zoo)

GERMANY - 5 (1,4,0)
Tierpark Berlin (1,1,0)
1,0 Frodo (30-05-2004, Tierpark Berlin)
0,1 Josephine (19-03-2000, Zoo Berlin)

Cologne Zoo (0,3,0)
0,1 Bali (28-06-1993, Cologne Zoo)
0,1 Charlotte (04-12-2006, Cologne Zoo)
0,1 Gula (25-08-2008, Cologne Zoo)

THE NETHERLANDS - 7 (0,7,0)
Burgers’ Zoo (0,5,0)
0,1 Bunga (29-01-2000, Cologne Zoo)
0,1 Bola (04-08-2000, Cologne Zoo)
0,1 ? (07-05-2019, Burgers’ Zoo)
0,1 ? (07-05-2019, Burgers’ Zoo)
0,1 ? (16-07-2019, Burgers’ Zoo)

Ouwehands Dierenpark Rhenen (0,2,0)
0,1 Cindy (16-07-2000, Olomouc Zoo)
0,1 Linh (08-04-2011, Tierpark Berlin)

POLAND - 2 (1,1,0)
Lodz Zoo (1,1,0)
1,0 Somnang (??-??-????, Wild)
0,1 Batu (16-02-2018, Zoo Ústí nad Labem)

SPAIN - 2 (1,1,0)
Zoo Madrid (1,1,0)
1,0 Teddy? (??-??-????, ?)
0,1 Anabell? (??-??-????, ?)

UK - 9 (4,5,0)
Belfast Zoo (1,1,0)
1,0 Indera (03-02-2010, Singapore Zoo)
0,1 Bora (10-04-1993, Zoo Ústí nad Labem)

Chester Zoo (1,2,0)
1,0 Toni (??-??-2007, Wild)
0,1 Milli (??-??-????, Wild)
0,1 Kyra (13-06-2018, Chester Zoo)

Colchester Zoo (1,1,0)
1,0 Jo-Jo (16-11-2006, Wild)
0,1 Srey Ya (10-05-2007, Wild)

Edinburgh Zoo (1,1,0)
1,0 Rotana (??-??-2003, Wild)
0,1 Babu (20-06-2011, Zoo Ústí nad Labem)

Besides this list, this time I have also made a short overview of what, as far as I know, happened within the European population last year.

Births
To my knowledge, one sun bear was born in Europe last year. A male at Zoo Ústí nad Labem.

Death
To my knowledge, two sun bears died last year. Male Johannes (25) and female Tina (33).

Transfers
To my knowledge, 3 sun bears moved to another zoo last year.

Number of holders
Allwetterzoo Münster is no longer a holder of sun bear since last year.

Future holders
Paradise Wildlife Park will start holding sun bears later this year.
Click to expand...
 
Hertfordshire Zoo to my knowledge last time I was there was expecting at 2 glorious bears (they were building theenclosure)!! I hope they have at least 1 as I've just adopted one for my nephew and niece. I'm visiting there today, so will keep you updated....
 
Kirstie said:
Hertfordshire Zoo to my knowledge last time I was there was expecting at 2 glorious bears (they were building theenclosure)!! I hope they have at least 1 as I've just adopted one for my nephew and niece. I'm visiting there today, so will keep you updated....
Click to expand...
They have two! They have a female named Kyra from Chester Zoo and a male named Indera from Belfast Zoo.
 
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