Weight development of captive Malayan sun bears (Helarctos malayanus) in the Malaysian Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre

Muhammad Izzat-Husna, . and Noor Nabilah Nazri, . and Kamaruddin Zainul Abidin, . and Mohammad Saiful Mansor, . and Zubaidah Kamarudin, . and Rahmat Topani, . and Shukor Md Nor, . (2023) Weight development of captive Malayan sun bears (Helarctos malayanus) in the Malaysian Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre. Pertanika Journal of Science & Technology (Malaysia), 31 (5). pp. 2177-2186. ISSN 2231-8526

This study documents a cost-effective strategy for managing Malayan sun bears (Helarctos malayanus) in the captive, focusing on their weight at the National Wildlife Rescue Centre (NWRC), Perak, Malaysia. The weight and development of captive bears’ average aged of two months were assessed using data collected over 18 months. Asymptotic bear weight was estimated using the von Bertalanffy equation. The growth curves significantly differed between male and female bears, with males growing much larger than females from early to later growth stages. This study has determined three types of age classes of bears, where the age of adult Malayan sun bears are fully grown at 11 years and six months for males and eight years and nine months for females. Sub-adult bears ranged between one and six years old for males and one and four years for females, while cubs ranged from zero to one year old. Furthermore, the ideal weight for captive Malayan sun bears by age was also successfully determined. Such information is important for the management of this species in captivity. Ensuring the correct weight and age stage, among other criteria, could be useful for successfully releasing rehabilitated sun bears into their natural habitats.

Full text available from: Official URL: http://www.pertanika.upm.edu.my/resources/files/Pe...

Abstract

This study documents a cost-effective strategy for managing Malayan sun bears (Helarctos malayanus) in the captive, focusing on their weight at the National Wildlife Rescue Centre (NWRC), Perak, Malaysia. The weight and development of captive bears’ average aged of two months were assessed using data collected over 18 months. Asymptotic bear weight was estimated using the von Bertalanffy equation. The growth curves significantly differed between male and female bears, with males growing much larger than females from early to later growth stages. This study has determined three types of age classes of bears, where the age of adult Malayan sun bears are fully grown at 11 years and six months for males and eight years and nine months for females. Sub-adult bears ranged between one and six years old for males and one and four years for females, while cubs ranged from zero to one year old. Furthermore, the ideal weight for captive Malayan sun bears by age was also successfully determined. Such information is important for the management of this species in captivity. Ensuring the correct weight and age stage, among other criteria, could be useful for successfully releasing rehabilitated sun bears into their natural habitats.

[error in script]

Item Type:	Article
AGROVOC Term:	captivity
AGROVOC Term:	body weight
AGROVOC Term:	equation-based models
AGROVOC Term:	Ursidae
AGROVOC Term:	data collection
AGROVOC Term:	data analysis
AGROVOC Term:	wildlife management
Geographical Term:	Malaysia
Uncontrolled Keywords:	National Wildlife Rescue Centre (NWRC), Helarctos malayanus
Depositing User:	Ms. Azariah Hashim
Date Deposited:	16 Jan 2025 02:24
Last Modified:	27 Jan 2025 02:50
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/1972

Actions (login required)

View Item