Abstract 8 – Milk Effects on Bornean Sun Bear Cub Mass in Malaysia

Ellen Wieczorek, Siew Te Wong, Boon Nie Yeoh

This study analyzes milk formulation impacts on Bornean sun bear (Helarctos malayanus
euryspilus) cub mass and feeding data collected at the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre
in Sabah, Malaysia. We use generalized linear mixed model with random effects to assess
disparities between sun bear cub (n = 10) mass gain (x̄ = 13.09 kg, s = 4.66 kg, Range [4.40-27.45
kg]) and differences between male and female hand-reared cubs based on >1000 daily or semi-
weekly measurements recorded since 2013. We found lower mass gain in females (x̄ = 11.8 kg),
compared to males (x̄ = 16.1 kg), and model results suggested sexual dimorphism as the cause
between male and female average mass. The model identified significant variables as the
individual bear, age, and the percentage of body mass fed. Milk formulation was varied by
individual health metrics, and feedings were calculated using ml/kg. Additional research should
assess sun bear milk composition to more closely simulate milk.