Malayan sun bear
Helarctos malayanus
Edinburgh Zoo is home to one female Malayan sun bear named Babu. She is often rolling on her back, digging for insects or having a nose as visitors from her habitat.
Sun bears are the world’s smallest bear. They get their name from the sun-like golden patch on their chest. Their short snout gives them a dog-like appearance around the face.
They live in Southeast Asian tropical forests.
Though they may be the smallest bear, they have long tongues which can extend up to 10 inches. This is perfect for extracting honey and insects from tight spots in trees and logs.
Sadly, sun bears are classified as Vulnerable. This is due to several factors, including severe habitat loss from deforestation and poaching.
Population
Decreasing
Diet
Omnivore
Habitat
Rainforest
Fact file
Sun bears are the world’s rarest and smallest species of bear, standing at around 1.2 metres tall
Their tongue can reach a whopping 25cm long and they use it to extract honey and insects from inside trees
Unlike other bear species, sun bears do not hibernate as their food is available year-round
They get their name from the crescent-shaped patch of fur on their chest that resembles a rising sun
Sun bears can weigh up to 68kg thanks to their love of honey
Latest sun bear news
View all news
19 May 2025
Three minute read
How we're helping
Sun bears are one of the rarest species of bear on the planet. They face serious threats from the illegal wildlife trade as well as rapid destruction of their habitat. We have been helping to protect this amazing species since we rescued a male, Rotana, from the illegal pet trade in Cambodia and rehomed here in Edinburgh in 2010.
Our expert veterinary team work with Free The Bears, the world's largest sanctuary for the species, and we provide funding for their life-saving work. Babu is also part of the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP) which ensures a healthy and genetically diverse population.
Like all the animals in our care Babu is an amazing ambassador for their relatives in the wild and helps hundreds of thousands of people connect with nature every year. They encourage visitors to learn about the threats facing wildlife and the action they can take to help create a world where nature is protected, valued and loved.
Find out more about sun bear conservation