Why support RZSS?
‘The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland has shown not only what zoos can be, but also what they should be’.
- Sir David Attenborough
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) is one of Scotland’s leading charities devoted to the conservation of endangered species and their habitats. Established in 1909, we own Edinburgh Zoo and the Highland Wildlife Park.
Our charitable work includes breeding programmes for threatened species, providing unique learning experiences for visitors and schools and supporting conservation and research projects across the globe, including Scotland.
As a charity we rely on donations and fundraising to further our work to improve our parks, expand our collection and fund our conservation, education and research projects.
RZSS is delighted to welcome two young male sun bears to our collection at Edinburgh Zoo.The sun bears arrived at Edinburgh Zoo on Thursday 1st July, but will be off show to the public for the first week while they settle into their new surroundings. This project is a perfect example of how RZSS aims to improve our parks for visitors, contribute to the survival of a threatened species and use our expertise and funds to care for animals around the world directly.
Please click on the Honey Jar to make a donation online today and help RZSS protect endangered species!
Sun bear
Known for the crescent-shaped patch of fur on its chest that resembles the rising sun, the sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) is found primarily in the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia.
It’s the smallest member of the bear family at around four foot in length, has large feet that turn slightly inward and long, curved claws that assist with climbing and digging.
It has small, rounded ears, a broad muzzle and an extremely long tongue which it uses to extract honey and insects from inside trees.
Threats to sun bears
Sun bears are the rarest species of bear on the planet, classified as “Vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List. Their numbers face serious threat in the wild due to rapid destruction of a habitat continuously logged for hard timber products, as well as from the illegal wildlife trade.
The European Breeding Programme will play a vital role in the survival of this species. However there is a shortage of males and RZSS has worked with Free the Bears Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre in Cambodia to bring two young brothers, Somnang and Rotana, to Edinburgh Zoo.
Introducing Somnang and Rotana
Somnang and Rotana are approximately six years old and were rescued in 2004 by Free the Bears from a private owner, where they were kept in small cages.
The brothers would have originally been purchased from an illegal wildlife trader, who would have captured them in the forest and shot their mother.
The boys are great friends and spend most of their time snoozing together and foraging for fruit and nuts.
Rotana, a popular modern Cambodian name, gets very excited, searching high and low to sniff out hidden goodies.
Somnang, meaning Lucky, takes things more slowly, usually meandering after Rotana who has put in the ground work.
They love nothing more than rolling around on their backs, licking honey and wrestling together in their swimming pool. Unfortunately they can’t be returned to the wild safely so they will have a new home in Scotland.
The enclosure
The new sun bear home is situated at the old polar bear site, where several enclosures have been combined into a new purpose-built exhibit almost three times its original size.
The refurbishment has cost £150,000 and is designed to meet the sun bears' needs and simulate their natural habitat.
The enclosure includes an indoor pool, indoor and outdoor climbing structures, a waterfall and several enrichment devices. These aim to keep the bears stimulated and include a unique fruit shaker tree, food holes around the enclosure, a honey drip and clear honey boxes allowing visitors to see the bears use their long tongue as they reach in for a treat.
The RZSS gardens team have created a planting scheme to represent the tropical forest environment, with trees, shrubs and herbs that enrich the animals’ life as well as the visitor experience. Visitors will also enjoy two new covered viewing areas where they can witness Somnang and Rotana’s antics and learn more about these wonderful creatures.
Veterinary assistance and training
RZSS is committed to providing veterinary aid and training to the rescue centre in Cambodia, which cares for over 100 bears. Veterinary practices there focus mainly on agricultural animals and so Cambodian vets need help from us to improve their knowledge so that they can care for the rescued bears.
In April 2010, the RZSS veterinarian team, led by Romain Pizzi, went to the centre to provide training in anaesthesia, dentistry, surgical treatment and wound management.
As well as donating dental instruments, anaesthetic equipment and books to the centre, Romain also performed a number of dental procedures and surgeries on the bears.
