A rare Malayan sun bear that was rescued from the illegal pet trade has been matched with a female bear, as part of a breeding programme at Edinburgh Zoo.
Rotana was found in a tiny cage in a Cambodian home, shortly before being rehomed with the zoo. He has been paired with Babu, a four-year-old female from the Czech Republic. They took their first steps outdoors together last week.
Alison MacLean, team leader for carnivores at the zoo, said: “It is wonderful to see Rotana and Babu getting on so well. Sun bear numbers are rapidly declining in the wild due to deforestation and poaching, so our new couple have an important role to play in the European conservation breeding programme.”
Image © RZSS