Sandakan: The untold stories of Sun Bear and their contibution to the forest.

By Haslin Gaffor

SANDAKAN, May 30 (Bernama) -- From dispersing fruit seeds to carving out narrow holes on trees, later used by hornbills and squirrels to nest, the Malayan Sun Bear contributes to a thriving forest habitat.

The smallest of the world's bears serve as forest doctors, engineers and planters and by foraging for termites and other insects, help mix nutrients in the soil.

Sandakan: 30pc decline in sun bear due to habitat loss and poaching

Sandakan: Habitat loss and poaching have led to a decline of up to 30 per cent of the Malayan sun bear population in the last three decades, according to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC).