Sabah, Malaysia – A team of animal care staff at Lok Kawi Wildlife Park in Sabah, Malaysia recently faced the challenge of transporting seven Bornean sun bears to the dentist. The bears, including the largest male Diego weighing over 95 kg, required a crew of eight people and a heavy-duty stretcher to reach the temporary operating theatre.
This daunting task was undertaken in collaboration with international animal welfare charity, Wild Welfare, who organized health checks for the bears and brought in specialist veterinarians from Germany to perform diagnostic checks and essential dental extractions.
“We have been working closely with the animal keepers and management at Lok Kawi Wildlife Park for many years to improve care and welfare through targeted interventions and welfare science up-skilling,” said Simon Marsh, Director at Wild Welfare. “During our ongoing welfare assessments, we noticed some concerning signs regarding the bears’ health and suggested taking proactive steps to address these issues.”
The Sabah Wildlife Department supported the efforts of the team, which included experts from German organizations CENZOO and Wildtierpraxis Maltzan, to meticulously plan and carry out the multi-day surgery.
One of the bears, 17-year-old Ron, was found to have four highly infected molars and two broken canines, explaining his unusually picky eating habits. Another bear, 23-year-old Obot, suffered from extensive dental damage that required eight teeth extractions.
Despite Diego’s surprisingly good dental health, the team found signs of aging in his joints and muscles, prompting park staff to make suitable alterations to his enclosure to accommodate his changing needs.
In total, over 30 problematic teeth were extracted, facial infections were treated, and ultrasounds revealed hidden discomforts that routine visual examinations could not diagnose.
After the surgery, the bears were allowed to rest in their dens for a few hours before slowly awakening. Reports from the park indicate that the bears were much more relaxed and showed signs of relief from previous pain, with Diego snoozing peacefully in the shade and Obot resting comfortably on a raised platform.
This life-changing medical intervention was made possible through the generous financial support of The Big Cat Sanctuary, Hertfordshire Zoo, the Marjorie Coote Animal Charity Trust, and the Winton Foundation for the Welfare of Bears.
Following a thorough debrief and review of the surgical outcomes, Lok Kawi Wildlife Park has committed to implementing a recommended three-month dietary transition for the bears, replacing high-sugar fruits with high-fiber vegetables and leafy branches for foraging. This commitment represents the park’s dedication to preventive healthcare and continuing sustainable welfare improvements in collaboration with Wild Welfare.
The successful medical intervention for the Bornean sun bears highlights the importance of conservation and welfare efforts in preserving vulnerable animal species.
