Prevalence of Internal Parasites in Bornean Sun Bears (Helarctos Malayanus) at Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, Sabah

A study conducted at the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre in Sabah, Malaysia aimed to assess the prevalence of internal parasites in 45 captive Bornean sun bears, a species listed as vulnerable in the International Union for conservation of Nature's Red List due to a declining population trend. Based on the coproscopic ova examination, the study found that 31 sun bears had a prevalence of internal parasites (overall 68.89%), with Trichuris sp. being the most prevalent (42.22%), followed by Ancylostoma sp. (31.11%), gastrointestinal protozoa (8.89%), Strongyloides sp. (6.67%) and cestode (4.44%). The presence of gastrointestinal parasites was significantly associated with group-living housing. Findings from this study improve our understanding of sun bear parasitism and facilitate strategies for parasite prevention.