Conservation Fellows

Dr. Wong Siew Te was born in Penang, Malaysia on the 16^th of May 1969. Born and raised there, he later continued his studies abroad at Taiwan’s National Pingtung University of Science and Technology where he received his diploma in Animal Science & Veterinary in 1992. Dr. Wong started off his career as a research assistant at the Wildlife Research Lab of the same institution in 1993. In 1994, he studied Wildlife Biology at the University of Montana where he graduated as a Bachelor of Science in 1997. In 2002, he graduated as a Master of Science with the thesis “The Ecology of Malayan Sun Bear in the Lowland Tropical Rainforest of Sabah, Borneo”.  

Dr. Wong found his passion for sun bears while he was conducting his pioneer studies on the vulnerable bears in the Bornean rainforest, one of the most threatened wildlife habitats on earth. It was also after witnessing sun bears being held captive in horrific conditions in private homes, zoos, farms etc which inspired Dr. Wong to fight for the welfare of these vulnerable bears. With his expertise in ‘animal welfare and veterinary’ education and love for sun bears, he set up the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) in 2008 and became the CEO and Founder of the centre. Together with the organisation Land Empowerment Animals People (LEAP), the Sabah Wildlife Department and the Sabah Forestry Department, they have formed a holistic approach to conserve the endangered species.

“I am determined to help Bornean sun bears. The challenge is huge, and I cannot do this alone. I need help, support and allies. Every voice counts and together we can make a difference,” stated Dr. Wong after establishing the now renowned conservation centre for sun bears in Sepilok, Sandakan.

He received numerous awards and recognitions for his dedication to sun bear research and conservation works. He was also a fellow of the Flying Elephants Foundation, which awards individuals from a broad range of disciplines within the arts and sciences. He was featured in the book Wildlife Heroes in 2012; conferred “Member-Order of the Defender of State” (Darjah Johan Negeri, D.J.N) by the governor of Penang State, Malaysia, in 2014; awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Sunshine Coast, Australia, in 2016; bestowed the title “My Country Hero” or “Wira Negaraku” by the Government of Malaysia, and “CNN Hero” in 2017. He was also featured as an Everyday Hero” in the March and April issues of Readers’ Digest in 2019, and given the Kinabalu Award for Individual in the environmental category by the Environment Protection Department, Sabah State Government in the same year. 

Sukau Rainforest Lodge dedicates Villa Number 2 in his honour.