Solbjørnen

Solbjørnen (Helarctos malayanus), known in English as the sun bear, is the smallest living bear species. It is native to the tropical forests of Southeast Asia and the sole extant member of the genus Helarctos. Adults are compact and robust, with a short black coat and a distinctive pale yellow to orange chest patch, whose shape varies by individual.

They are the smallest bear, with males larger than females. They have long, curved claws and a very long tongue, used to extract honey from beehives and to feed on insects and fruit. They are mainly arboreal and excellent climbers, but also move on the ground, especially when foraging.

Distribution and habitat: sun bears inhabit tropical lowland forests and hillside forests from the Malay Peninsula through Sumatra and Borneo, and into parts of mainland Southeast Asia. Deforestation and habitat fragmentation have reduced their range and numbers in many areas.

Diet: omnivorous, feeding on fruits, berries, termites, ants, honey, and small vertebrates. Their strong sense of smell helps locate beehives and other food sources.

Reproduction: females give birth to 1–2 cubs after a gestation of about 95–105 days. Cubs remain with the mother for up to two years and are then dispersed.

Conservation: the sun bear is classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN. Major threats include habitat loss due to logging and palm oil cultivation, illegal hunting, and the wildlife trade. Protection exists in some protected areas, and conservation programs focus on habitat preservation and reducing human-wildlife conflict.