Saving Sun Bears: One Man's Quest to Save a Species

by Sarah Pye

In Asia, adult sun bears are poached for body parts which are thought to have medicinal properties. Many orphaned cubs, with their small size and endearing features, are kept illegally as pets. Malaysian ecologist Dr Wong Siew Te, or ‘papa bear’, has dedicated his life to saving the world’s smallest bear from extinction. In this heartwarming story, Wong’s love of animals leads him to pursue an unconventional, sometimes dangerous career. It takes him from Malaysia to Taiwan, where he studies animal husbandry; to Montana, where he learns to trap grizzly bears; and on to Borneo to research bears in the dense rainforest. Wong struggles to raise funds to create a unique rescue centre for sun bears, and in 2017 he is acknowledged as a CNN Hero—proving one person can make a difference. Australian author Sarah Pye takes readers on a journey of discovery, introducing individual sun bears she has come to Natalie, who learns to survive without her mother; Bongkud, who is struck by lightning; Gutuk, who is too scared to go outside; and Debbie, who grabs her chance at freedom. Saving Sun Bears is Wong’s story—and theirs.

Kindle Edition

Published June 23, 2020

About the author

Sarah may be a writer, speaker and teacher, but that hasn’t always been the case. Sarah was born on a tiny British outpost jutting into the Mediterranean called Gibraltar and spent the summers of her first decade plying the waters of the Norfolk broads aboard a classic clinker-built wooden boat. When she was 13, Sarah’s teacher parents moved their family onto a 30ft ketch. Sarah was boat-schooled by the world around her — holding night watches, grocery shopping in foreign ports, and hunkering down in ranging storms.

At 17, Sarah left her floating home for college in the United States. Then, with a hospitality management degree under her arm, continued her westward migration to Hawaii, and on to Australia’s Whitsunday Islands. Sarah’s business, Ocean Rafting was awarded the Queensland Tourism Award for Best Adventure Product in 2001.

As a single parent, Sarah completed her Master of Communication degree at the University of the Sunshine Coast and published a guidebook called Kids Welcome to Queensland in 2009. The resulting travel business led to Sarah being named Sunshine Coast Small Business Woman of the Year in 2010.

A trip to Borneo with her daughter changed the trajectory of Sarah’s life when she met Wong Siew Te. She commenced her Doctor of Creative Arts Degree in 2016, exploring how narratives can be used to engage non-scientists in conservation. In 2018, She took a break from the books to walk 800km across Spain, and in 2020, Wong’s biography, Saving Sun Bears was published.

Reviews

[Kevin Albin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly, this is a lovely, sincerely and passionately written account of one man's passion to save a species of bear, which faces enormous threats. I have visited the Sun bear centre in Borneo many time and have met Wong several times. Each time, his drive and love for these animals is very apparent and Sarah Pye has successfully captured these impressions in her writing. I highly recommend this book.

[Kieran Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good and informative. BSBCC is also really great

[Catherine Barr · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a moving and uplifting personal conservation story. Sarah Pye weaves Dr Wong's life-long and passionate mission to save sun bears from a life behind bars, into a bigger picture of conservation. With meticulous research, her biography explores the personal challenges of conservation and the joy of success, revealed in one man's determination to make a difference. Read alongside Sarah Pye's latest WildlifeWong series of children's books, Saving Sun Bears will surely inspire readers of all ages to discover the smallest bear in the world and want to get involved!

[Dale Botha · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story beyond the realms of normal human behaviour. Wong is a man of integrity with incredible passion and completely selfless. His story will make you think differently for the rest of your life xx

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

An engaging read about a wonderful man and an amazing quest
Loved this book. It was informative and educational, as well as a very lovely read. It was hard to put down, as you wanted to find out what happened next after finishing each chapter. Can the Sun Bears be saved?

Sarah Pye takes you on a wonderful journey, vividly describing events & places, including her own involvement. A must read for everyone

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

An engaging read about a wonderful man and an amazing quest
Loved this book. It was informative and educational, as well as a very lovely read. It was hard to put down, as you wanted to find out what happened next after finishing each chapter. Can the Sun Bears be saved?

Sarah Pye takes you on a wonderful journey, vividly describing events & places, including her own involvement. A must read for everyone

[Smooth Herman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an important book about a courageous group of people with a focus on Wong Siew Te’s personal story, the ‘Papa Bear.’

The author’s style threw me off a bit; she has a real knack for detailed descriptions, evoking the environment around her. I loved it despite being unsettled at the same time!

Her stories about the bears’ lives really drew me in more than I expected it would. I found myself rooting for each of them as well as getting emotional at other instances.

I wish everyone involved in animal conservation the very best. It is such a titanic struggle and I wish I could do more to help every day. Kudos to all of you!

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a captivating story about Malaysian ecologist Dr Wong Siew Te's mission to save the world's smallest bear from extinction. It's also informative and wonderfully descriptive, taking you right into the heart of the Borneo jungle. A story of hope and proof that one person can make a difference.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful, rich read, so much information delivered through a driving narrative. A moving book, that manages to maintain hope and inspiration, despite the bleak outlook climate change and habitat destruction poses. I have a new appreciation for these beautiful bears and the people fighting to save them.

[Alessia · Rating 5 out of 5]

After meeting Wong in real life i knew i had to read this book. It has inspired me to do what i do best to save sun bears. I would recommend everyone to read this book because everyone needs to know of what sun bears go through. Pls recommend everyone to read this book because it tells an awesome tale of such an awesome human. Please read it!!

[Jane Luce · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating read! Informative and educational giving us an insight to Dr Wong’s passion for saving the sun bears. Exciting and sad. Such dedication from Dr Wong and his team. Loved the book and will read again.

[Andrew Holmes · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great story about a charming and endangered species.

[Katra · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intimate look at a man making a difference.

[Jaimee Goad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring and insightful, Saving Sun Bears is a fantastic read for those who are interested in learning about conservation. Sarah writes Dr Wong's journey in a style that is easy to read with an engaging pace that makes you not want to put the book down. The book illustrates the importance of saving sun bears, as well as the conservation of many animals, and has driven me to do what I can to help with the global initiative to protect the world's wildlife.

[Saira Manns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saving a species is a complex and difficult task, however Malaysian ecologist Dr. Wong Siew Te does everything in his power to save the sun bears of Borneo. The book Saving Sun Bears by Dr. Sarah Pye does a fantastic job at capturing the journey and life mission of Dr. Wong. Inspirational and insightful, this book is a must have on your bookshelf if you want to learn how to help save the species.

[Melinda Min · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to learn more about sun bears, I highly recommend this book. An engaging non-fiction narrative, this novel written by Dr. Sarah Pye details the incredible efforts made by Dr. Wong Siew Te to save the world’s smallest bear from extinction. It is a truly moving story of how Dr. Wong’s love for animals developed and prompted him to create a rescue centre for sun bears.

[Enrica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dedicated to the next generation, Saving Sun Bears is a book which aims to inform readers about the current initiatives taken by Dr Wong Siew Te to save the sun bears in Borneo. Learning about Dr Wong and his life story is truly fascinating and one that needs to be heard. This book is a definite must read.

[Jane Luce · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating read! Informative and educational giving us an insight to Dr Wong’s passion for saving the sun bears. Exciting and sad. Such dedication from Dr Wong and his team. Loved the book and will read again.

[Toula Gordillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It was lovely and engaging read about an amazing man, Malaysian ecologist Dr Wong Siew Te, and his dedication to save the world's smallest bear. The author, Dr Sarah Pye, has depicted his heroic journey, as well as her own passionate engagement, incredibly well.