Sun Bear: Adios, Amigo!
Posted at 3:52 pm September 30, 2009 by Suzanne HallOur sun bear breeding program has been a great success over the last few years. We have witnessed the birth of four healthy cubs, including the first Bornean sun bear to be born in North America (Danum, in 2004. See post Sun Bear Summary). Our breeding pair deserves all the credit for this success. Marcella and Dibu have always gotten along and bred naturally. But their relationship came to an end last week as we said goodbye to Dibu.
Our adult male, also known to the staff as Ralphie, was shipped to the Columbus Zoo. The SSP (Species Survival Plan administered by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums) recommended this move so that Dibu can meet up with another female in the hopes of breeding and producing more cubs. Edwina, coming to Columbus from Woodland Park in Seattle, is supposed to be a sweet bear with a temperament that might be conducive to a good rapport with Dibu. If all goes well, this new pair will contribute to the next generation of Bornean sun bears in North American zoos.
Although Marcella and Dibu are a proven pair, it is important to increase the genetic diversity of the next generation. If all offspring of the current adults in the captive population were solely the progeny of our two bears, then the breeding program would be at a standstill in a short time. Unfortunately, other institutions have had no success in breeding their bears.
Imported from Borneo about a decade ago, the founder population of Bornean sun bears has had a variety of health and behavioral issues that have impacted the zoos’ coordinated efforts to increase the size of their captive population. Much of this relates to the bears’ status as former pet-trade animals, as most of the adults had been confiscated as very young bears that had been taken from their mother’s care. Hopefully our seasoned breeder, Dibu, can find a way to encourage a previously unmated female to contribute to the genetic pool.
Aside from the lack of Dibu scent in the tunnels, Marcella isn’t likely to notice his loss much. She’s still pretty busy caring for their most recent offspring, Palu and Pagi (see Sun Bear Cubs: 10 Months Old). In about a year, the cubs will been weaned and she will begin again to cycle. By that time, we might also have a new male in the area, as the SSP has recommended she breed with an animal currently housed at Woodland Park. Marcella, too, will have a chance to coax along a previously unmated animal.
We wish Dibu luck and good health as he begins this next chapter of his life. He will be greatly missed, as his sweet temperament and penchant for back scratches from keepers have made him a staff favorite. We’ve received confirmation that he arrived safely at the Columbus Zoo. That zoo is getting a great animal. We look forward to the announcement that he has, once again, fathered cubs.
Adios, amigo!
Suzanne Hall is a senior research technician for the San Diego Zoo’s Institute for Conservation Research.
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September 30th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
Best of luck to Dubi in his home. I am sure it must be difficult for the keepers and the staff that cared for him to say goodbye, hopefully some of them will have a chance to visit with him in the future.
September 30th, 2009 at 6:02 pm
Goodby, Dibu. We are going to miss you more than you can imagine. I hope you find Edwina as attractive as Marcella (though she is surely a hard act to follow!). And I hope Marcella finds her new beaux equally attractive as Dibu. Suzanne, I hope you will keep us posted as to how their new lives are progressing. Thanks!
September 30th, 2009 at 9:35 pm
job well done Dibu! with all this breeding can we (the zoo’s) afford to keep the animals? I know once in awhile you will hear a zoo wants to close down bcuz of the economy..
Thanks Suzanne for the FYI info! we public will never know what is happening behind them gates ..thanks for the blogs!!
September 30th, 2009 at 11:19 pm
Best of luck to Dibu. He was such a charmer and I am sure that Jungle Jack Hanna will be very proud.
Both kids are getting really big, especially Palu, and it’s always been a pleasure to see them.
Looking forward to meeting Marcella’s new guy.
October 1st, 2009 at 8:14 am
During this past summer, during a crowded time over at the pandas, I decided to spend time watching Marcella and the twins. They are gorgeous, smart, playful–full of personality. Your news of sending Dibu is sad, simply because we love visiting our friends. But the SSP is obviously acting upon such an important plan for the sun bears. I wish Columbus Zoo all the best! And for Marcella, I hope she is able to welcome a new beau in the near future. Thanks, Suzanne, for dedicating the time to share this news–I always learn so much from your blogs.
October 4th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
Sun bears are fascinating and cute animals to see at the zoo, and the San Diego Zoo’s Sun Bear Forest is perhaps the best sun bear exhibit in existence.
Allen Nyhuis
October 5th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
My local zoo is building a new Asia habitat with a large elephant area to house our two females and hopefully add a male. In addition, they’re hoping to have sun bears. Perhaps one of the offspring of Ralphie and/or Marcella will make their way to mid-America.
I hope Dibu has great success in Columbus! He sounds like the sun bear equivalent of giant panda Gao Gao.
October 6th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
Thank you Suzanne for the update on our beautiful Sun Bears.
I wish Dibu farewell and lots of good luck with his new companion, Edwina. Likewise, I wish Marcella much success with her new mate when he arrives from Seattle. In the future, I have faith that Marcella will once again make everyone proud at the Sun Bear Forest.
Palu and Pagi were a big hit last week when we stopped by for a visit. They were engaged in a wrestling match. Palu won the first round; Pagi won the second round sending Palu running to the exhibit area next door.
A crowd gathered to watch the “match”. These siblings are lots of fun and entertaining.
November 19th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
It is now November. Any word on how Dibu has fared at the Columbus Zoo? I hope that he is racking up his share of back scratches there!
Suzanne responds: Dibu arrived safely at his new home and is an instant hit with his new handlers. If you live in the area, look for him on exhibit soon!