BALI: THE SPIRIT OF AN ELDERLY SUN BEAR AT SAMBOJA LESTARI
Among the elderly residents of the sanctuary, Bali is one of the most remarkable. Today, Bali has reached the age of around 45 years, which is considered very old for a sun bear.
Remember our story about Upi staring at something perching up high in a Meranti tree near Camp Lesik? At the time we had assumed that she was only looking around the camp area. It turns out that she was on to something much more interesting!
As we observed her, she sat unmoving on top of the Meranti tree for hours. However, as soon as we left the camp for other work Upi jumped into a nearby kedondong tree. Kedondong is the vernacular name for Spondias dulcis which is a tropical vegetation with an edible fruit. The tree can grow up to 15-18 m tall. In Indonesia, the fruit is commonly used as ingredients of rujak, a form of fruit salad.
She was aiming for the large abundance of fully ripe kedondong fruit and Upi was quick to spot them and make a great meal of the fruits in season.
Upi Loves Kedondong Fruit (Photo credit: Deny)
Upi Loves Kedondong Fruit (Photo credit: Deny)
Upi Loves Kedondong Fruit (Photo credit: Deny)
The next day, Upi went back to the tree and took Hamzah with her to enjoy a kedondong fruit feeding frenzy.
Happy eating Upi and Hamzah!
Among the elderly residents of the sanctuary, Bali is one of the most remarkable. Today, Bali has reached the age of around 45 years, which is considered very old for a sun bear.
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