Sun Bears In European Zoos?

MennoPebesma said:
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
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Whereas unfortunate and sad she has passed away. Admittedly 31 years is a good longevity for a sun bear.


MennoPebesma said:
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
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It is good that AI will be part of the toolbox to get the European sun bear population back on a growth path. Male sun bears incidentally ... are in short supply ..... + females of good breeding age!

I seem to remember the EEP has lately signalled a readiness/keeness to import new sun bears from outside the region (S.E. Asia! + perhaps other regions ...)!
 
Kifaru Bwana said:
I seem to remember the EEP has lately signalled a readiness/keeness to import new sun bears from outside the region (S.E. Asia! + perhaps other regions ...)!
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Yes, they did. Here's what the EEP said about that in the 2023 EAZA TAG Reports:

‘The EEP aims to get new founders (especially males) and holders to grow to a minimum of 50 individuals in the next five to 10 years. This is going to be difficult, but we are committed to try to achieve our goals for this tropical bear species.’
 
New year, new update :D (Also from 2023 since there was no update then)

Publicly announced and surviving cubs of 2023 & 2024:
none

Publicly announced deaths of 2023 & 2024:
1,0 Teddy at ZooParc de Trégomeur (28 years old)
1,0 Rotana at Edinburgh Zoo (20 years old)
1,0 Somnang at Zoo Lodz (22 years old)
0,1 Bora at Belfast Zoo (31 years old)

Holders:
Hertfordshire Zoo is a new holder of sun bears since 2023.
Belfast Zoo is no longer a holder of sun bears since 2024.


There are currently 2 (1,1) Bornean sun bears living in Europe.

Pafos Zoo (1,1,0)
1,0 ? (??-??-????, ?)
0,1 ? (??-??-????, ?)

There are currently 32 (9,23) Malayan sun bears living in Europe.

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)

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

St Martin la Plaine Zoo (1,2,0)
1,0 Saï (??-??-2002, Wild)
0,1 Ipoh (??-??-1994, St Martin la Plaine Zoo)
0,1 Tali (16-07-2019, Burgers' Zoo)

ZooParc de Trégomeur (1,1,0)
0,1 Malaka (10-02-1990, Cologne Zoo)
0,1 Madu (07-05-2019, Burgers' Zoo)

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)

Burgers’ Zoo (0,3,0)
0,1 Bunga (29-01-2000, Cologne Zoo)
0,1 Bola (04-08-2000, Cologne Zoo)
0,1 ? (07-05-2019, Burgers’ Zoo)

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

Lodz Zoo (1,1,0)
0,1 Batu (16-02-2018, Zoo Ústí nad Labem)

Zoo Madrid (1,1,0)
1,0 Teddy (??-??-1995, Zoo Berlin)
0,1 Anabell (??-??-????, ?)

Chester Zoo (1,1,0)
1,0 Toni (??-??-2004, Wild)
0,1 Milli (??-??-2007, Wild)

Colchester Zoo (1,1,0)
1,0 Jo-Jo (15-11-2006, Wild)
0,1 Srey Ya (10-05-2007, Wild)

Edinburgh Zoo (0,1,0)
0,1 Babu (20-06-2011, Zoo Ústí nad Labem)

Hertfordshire Zoo (1,1,0)
1,0 Indera (03-02-2010, Singapore Zoo)
0,1 Kyra (13-06-2018, Chester Zoo)

As always, if you see a mistake in the list, or you know more about one of the animals, please let me know.
 
Usti - the young male born in 2022 will be remaining at Usti for the foreseeable future.

Plans have been revealed (and fundraising started) to convert the present Lion enclosure for him, before eventually bringing in a female to form a second breeding pair.
 

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Ceylonpanther said:
Espace zoo Saint Martin la Plaine revealed female cub that was born 3rd of February. That is first birth in 25 years of this species in France. Parents are female Talli from Burgers zoo and male Saï, rescued from Asia.
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Absolutely fantastic news. Most important thing: they brought in a new founder in the breeding population. And any youngsters with the sun bears are a definite plus!!!!
 
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