Project Borneo

Adolescence: All About Learning and Growing 🦧✨

​Damu is growing up fast! No longer the rambunctious child, he is now flourishing into adolescence. Every single day is about learning and growing as he discovers more and more about the world around him.

​He might be growing up, but he hasn't lost his spark—he is still absolutely full of charm and mischief! Damu is still known to splash at volunteers just to get a reaction or to test his luck. 💦😄

​It’s an incredible journey watching him mature while keeping that fun-loving personality!

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📸 Peter Delaney

Learning by example 🦧✨

​Every single day is a school day for little Leo. By staying right by his mum’s side, he’s watching, learning, and building the confidence he needs every step of the way.

​In nature, the bond between a mother and her baby is where every essential life lesson begins. Watching them move together, side by side, is a gentle reminder of why we work so hard to protect these incredible animals and their sanctuary home. 🌿💚

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📸 Peter Delaney

Sunbear Sunday - cute but not so cuddly cubs 🐻☀️

​While sun bear cubs might look like real-life teddy bears, the truth behind their popularity in the illegal pet trade is heartbreaking. 💔

​To capture a tiny, defenceless cub, poachers almost always kill the protective mother first. Stolen from the rainforest, these babies are sold as exotic pets. But as they grow, their sharp claws, incredible strength, and wild instincts quickly emerge. Unable to handle an adult bear, owners frequently lock them away in tiny cages or abandon them.

​Sun bears are vital to Borneo's forest ecosystem—they are seed dispersers, pest controllers, and wild animals at heart. They belong high up in the canopy, not in a human home. 🌿🐾

​By raising awareness and supporting rescue and rehabilitation efforts, we can help ensure these vulnerable cubs get a second chance at being wild.

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Meet Doris, the ultimate coconut connoisseur! 🦧🥥

​Cracking into a fresh coconut isn't just a delicious snack for Doris—it’s an incredible form of natural enrichment! In the wild, opening tough shells takes serious strength, dexterity, and patience.

​As you can see, Doris has mastered the art of getting to the good stuff, and she isn't sharing a single drop! 🤤✨

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📸 Peter Delaney

Little guy, BIG treats! 🦧🍊

​Our amazing volunteers lovingly chop up fresh fruits and veggies, mix them with a splash of tea, and freeze them inside recycled bottles to create these delicious ice pops!

​These frozen goodies aren't just a tasty snack—they’re an essential form of enrichment. Working out how to get the treats out keeps our residents mentally sharp, engaged, and cool all day long.

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📸 Peter Delaney

Sunbear Sunday: Let's talk about those feet! 🐻👀

​If you’ve ever looked closely at a sun bear’s paws, you might have noticed they look a little different from your average bear. In fact, their feet are hyper-specialized engineering marvels built perfectly for life in the Bornean canopy!

​Here is why sun bear feet are so incredible:

​💅 The Ultimate Climbing Hooks: They are armed with massive, sickle-shaped claws that can grow up to 6 inches long! Unlike cats, they can't retract them, using them instead like permanent, heavy-duty climbing spikes to scale massive rainforest trees.

🦶 Naked Soles: While most bears have fur on the bottoms of their paws for insulation against snow and ice, sun bears have completely hairless soles. This gives them an incredible, non-slip grip on wet, mossy tree bark.

🔄 Pigeon-Toed Power: They walk with a distinct inward-turning gait. While it looks a bit goofy on the ground, this "pigeon-toed" structure gives them maximum leverage and stability when hugging thick tree trunks.

​Nature really thought of everything when designing the world's smallest bear! 🌲🌿

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Weekend warrior status: Activated! 🕺🦧

​Take a leaf out of little Leo’s book and come dancing into the weekend! 🎵✨

​Whether you’re relaxing at home or out having adventures, it’s time to channel that unstoppable Leo energy and put a serious spring in your step. Our favorite little mischief-maker is always ready to turn the jungle into his personal dance floor!

​What are your weekend plans? Let us know if you're matching Leo's energy in the comments! 👇🧡

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📸 Peter Delaney

Moving on up! 🧗‍♀️✨

​Want some inspiration to crush your goals this weekend? Take a page out of Catherine’s book and keep moving on up!

​Catherine absolutely loves exploring and climbing right to the very top of our wooden climbing structures—especially when she knows there is a tasty treat ready and waiting for her at the summit. Talk about excellent motivation! 🍊🍌

​Drop a 🧡 if you're channeling Catherine's unstoppable energy today!

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📸 Peter Delaney