In my first week at Samboja Lestari, I was introduced to a large number of sunbears and, initially, I was probably a little overwhelmed at how I would learn who was who. It became apparent very quickly that it is necessary to be able to identify each individual bear and also be across what enclosure they are in. In addition it is extremely important to know who gets along and who doesn't. So, how does one get to know a sunbear? I have found a number of ways to work out individuals and, whilst some may be obvious, it isn’t always that easy. Of course, Patrick has helped no end. Gender obviously helps as does a limb or partial limb missing. Kancil has a left forearm missing due to a poachers snare. Whilst sun bears are the smallest bear in existence their size can vary quite dramatically from one individual to another. One stand out is Maria. She is a Sumatran sun bear and has a very large head and face. Then there is Dewi (D-wee). She is a tiny bear with quite a narrow face. It is interesting that the more you get to know them the more differences you see. Samsun is a slender bear with a narrow face and a mole on his forehead. Wewin has pigmentation and lighter patches of hair on her back. Gendut (Goondoot) has almost a white crescent like a Moon bear and Bunga has a tongue that constantly hangs out of her mouth. The crescent on the chest of the sunbears can be quite dramatically different. The difference can be in color, freckling and also size. For example, Jay has a very wide crescent covering most of his chest and a few spots on his stomach area. Meli has a very narrow crescent only about 1 or 2 cms wide. Kecil has a crescent that is more ochre and a muzzle color to match. I have also noticed some of the bears have very pink paw pads and others are lighter….you can’t always see those though for identification purposes. In addition to physical traits there are definite personality traits. There are some placid personalities amongst them but also some quite aggressive bears. Petung is a male sun bear who has a deep intimidating growl. He is intelligent and strong…and not to be messed with. Imah dislikes humans (understandable) and runs away with her food. Of course, there are those who have some stress issues, psychological issues and behavioural problems all arising from their backgrounds prior to arriving at Samboja Lestari. Meli suckles her left rear paw whilst others suckle their right or even a front paw. I don’t dwell on their backgrounds. It is too upsetting. I do ask though because it helps to understand why they are like they are. I focus on what can be provided now to make their lives as happy and healthy as possible. Don’t be mistaken, there are some bears here who have suffered unthinkable treatment and it makes me ashamed of the human race. It is no different for some of the orangutans. We can’t change what has happened to them previously but we must change what happens to them now and in the future. There are those individuals who touch your heart and some who nearly break it. There are a number of them who deserve their own story to be told which I will follow this post with. And yes, I had some early favorites but the pool has grown and I will probably end up with 50 favorites! I don’t know what it is that creates a favorite or a soft spot. Patrick feels sorry for Giono due to a physical disability Giono had upon arriving at Samboja Lestari and he certainly loves the cubs, India and Deni. He loves all the bears in fact even Petung. Those that I love the most already will feature in some bear profiles. They deserve their stories to be told. I am hopeful it increases awareness as to the plight of these beautiful animals who did nothing more than exist on the planet with as much right to be here as us.