I am writing to express my concern with the ongoing situation for two sun bears which are still languishing within barren cages at the Tawau Hot Springs Recreational Park as reported recently in the Daily Mail newspaper.

We have over 15 years experience of rescuing and caring for bears in captivity and the conditions in which these two bears are kept within is likely to be causing them a significant amount of both physiological and psychological suffering.

Sun bears are highly intelligent animals that require a complex species-specific environment to meet both their physical and behavioural needs. From the photos in the press it is evident that the current environment can not provide for these needs.

In particular, the bears have no access to area in which they can exercise, no place for them to climb, no specific place for them to rest in comfort, no visible access to browse, and no place to escape from the visitors. Due to these conditions the welfare of the sun bears is likely to be severely compromised.

If you can keep this issue in the public eye, and demonstrate that their is developing international concern for these bears and developing international condemnation of the Sabah wildlife department, I feel that the authorities can be encouraged to take the appropriate action and confiscate these bears and place them in a suitable rescue centre within Sabah.

DAVID NEALE is animal welfare director, Animals Asia Foundation.