[1] Seeing sun bears kept in dreadful conditions during his study drove the wildlife biologist Wong Siew Te on a quest to open a facility to improve their welfare.

The area is adjacent to the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre and once housed a Sumatran rhinoceros captive breeding programme which stopped in 2006 after the death of the last male rhino there.

In April 2010, the existing captive bears were moved into their new living spaces, integrated into 'bear groups' and given access to outdoor enclosures during the day.

[4] A second phase of the project started in September 2010 with the goal to convert the old bear house into offices, a visitor centre and gift shop.

That means, that killing, keeping a bear, or having in possession body parts like claws and gall bladders could result in punishment of up to five years’ prison or a maximum of RM50,000 fine.

Actively confiscated by the Sabah Wildlife Department or voluntarily surrendered to BSBCC, the centre is rescuing these captive bears, and giving them proper care and facilities to live in.