Asia Explore Exposition

An exceptional showing of Jocelyn Stokes’ spirit-inspired conservation journey through the many lands of Asia is opened on Saturday, September 24th. The show is still up and all can come enjoy and share in the many heart-full and beautiful photographs. These images were crafted over the past three years with deep care for wildlife conservation.  The exhibit will be held at the Blackbird Center at 4425 SW Corbett Ave. from M-S from 9 AM to 6 PM.  All are welcome to visit.

Enjoying a warm afternoon in the playroom

Over here at the centre, the bear crew can’t help but take a keen liking to a trio of young sun bears who may have actually been acrobats in a past life.  While one is hanging upside down from the ceiling with its head arched back and legs flailing in the air, another will be swinging though the air in a tire, whilst the other is usually balancing stealthily in the corner, arms straight up, or perhaps tearing open a coconut.  They’re a regular riot to observe with their overflowing abundance of character and youthful antics!  Deemed the ‘three amigos’ by a troupe of loyal volunteers from New Zealand,  these three bears,  Jolita, Lawa and Cerah, truly delight in each other’s company. “The reason they get along so well,” explains Wai Pak, the onsite Educational Officer, “is because they are so young.  At their age they need playmates.  They all happen to be the same age, as well, and they have grown up in captivity, so they are particularly fond of each other!”

It’s a truly enjoyable sight to behold when a group of young wild, animals with a rather unfortunate past can be helped to live in such contentment.  And, why not?  These bears are blessed with more love and attention than most creatures could dream of having.  Although their living space in not quite adequate yet, these bears are still receiving the utmost care.  Through the hard work and dedication of the small BSBCC staff, along with the fresh, motivated energy of the volunteer groups, these bears receive healthy nourishment, instinctual stimulation, and well-cared for environments.  All the bears have to worry about is how they’ll break open their next coconut and even that doesn’t seem to challenge them for too long.

Working on that coconut

 Wai pak and Billy met me just outside the Sandakan airport gates with warm, friendly smiles and swooped me off to the local market and clinic for a brief health check.

The visit to the clinic is quite mandatory, I have discovered, when working in such close proximity to the protected wildlife. Wai Pak is the most qualified member of the Sabah Sun Bear Conservation Centre staff that is currently residing in Sabah. He has a great knowledge of the centre and an admirable fatherly relationship to the bears. Billy is the architect’s assistant who is also deeply interested in the welfare of the bears, along with the design and construction of the new bear centre. I have taken the role of not only the onsite conservationist photojournalist, but also the very first official SSBCC volunteer. It’s a very exciting time for the SSBCC. Phase 1 of construction for the new centre is in full swing. I feel privileged to be here to witness the great changes that are occurring.  The new centre will provide the ex-captive and orphaned sun bears a more natural environment, in a secure section of the forest reserve, so that they can be safe and outdoors! It’s terribly sad to see these amazing, beautiful wild creatures living behind bars. Although it is better for them to be safe here in these cages, than in life-threatening situations elsewhere, it is not suitable for them to be so confined.

  Since Siew Te Wong took over the centre a couple years ago there have been vast improvements in the current bear facilities. The bears have much better living conditions than before, yet the new centre will be optimal. The new centre will be able to accommodate 20 bears (8 more than currently). Thus, there will be space for more bears that may need to be rescued and rehabilitated. Sadly, with the progression of various threats against the safety of the wild sun bears, including habitat loss, pet trade and poaching, there will most likely be many more bears that are in need of rescue.

The SSBCC, with the help of LEAP, has raised enough money to fund the first phase of the building construction; however, to complete the proposed plan quite a bit more funding will be necessary. I am hoping that through my photography I will be able to raise more funding for the construction of the new centre.    Unfortunately,       the costs of maintaining the facility and sustaining the bears will also increase will the new centre because the small government funding they are currently receiving will cease to exist. This is an even greater incentive to ‘get the ball rolling’ on raising money for the magnificent sun bears and their new home!

Exhibiting a distinguished creamy orange V-shaped crest on its furry black chest and two large cartoonish-round ears upon its brow, the Asiatic Black Bear, or Moon Bear, is a sight to behold.

Similar to China’s Giant Panda Bear, this exquisite mammal has adopted special cultural meaning for its home country.  These bears are widely considered the Mother Goddess of Korean soil.
Unfortunately, in contrast with the common awareness of the Giant Panda’s threatened existence, many people remain incognizant about the desperate state of the Asiatic Black Bear.

In just the past fifty years, the population of Asiatic Black Bear has been diminished by 95% due to habitat destruction and poaching.   Without any conservation activity it is estimated that the current population would drop to 2% in less than 10 years, moving towards complete extinction in a brief 23 years.

In direct response to these devastating estimations, a group of scientists have collaborated amidst the lush hills of Korea’s first designated National Park, Jirisan Mt., to proactively restore hope for these special bears.  The Restoration Project of the Asiatic Black Bear, Species Restoration Center was first launched in 2004.   This being one of the first conservation projects initiated in Korea, it has commendably introduced an essential environmental concern into the nation’s consciousness.  

As stated in the Species Restoration Center guidelines, this project is dedicated to the development of wildlife conservation efforts and education, as well as the protection of natural ecosystems and the restoration of endangered wildlife in Korea.   They aim to encourage a caring and positive relationship between all of the nation’s inhabitants, and create a foundation where people may harmonize with wildlife.

Currently, nine bears reside at the center.   Chun-Wang, named after the highest peak in Jirisan, was recently taken in after too many friendly encounters with campers in the park.  His apparent sweet tooth and forthcoming demeanor has regrettably spoiled his dental health, and he has since been isolated for intensive treatment.  His charming character, however, has respectably deemed him worthy of such a name.

Gha-Sok, another handsome male of the group, sadly, was brought in after being caught in a bear trap laid by farmers (trying to protect wild pigs).  His fate was un-certain after such a terrible encounter with the rusty metal claws and sharp wire that tore through his flesh.  Fortunately, the Species Restoration team was timely and effective in mending his potentially lethal wounds. He has since recovered and met his mate, the lovely Chil-Sun, and will hopefully be expecting cubs this winter.  

The Restoration project is working swiftly towards its main aspiration of achieving a wild bear population of at least 50 by the year 2012.  When a bear is released into the wild and is able to proceed with its natural lifecycle, including independent feeding, hibernating and copulating, then that bear is considered successfully adapted into its environment.

Asiatic Black Bears are not mature enough to reproduce until they are four years old. After mating, delayed implantation of the fertilized egg allows the female to stave off pregnancy until winter hibernation.  During hibernation, in accordance with proper nutrition, the female may give birth to two cubs.  The bear cubs are extremely vulnerable for the first several months of their lives. They are unable to see or hear for up to 60 days after their birth.  They are finally weaned after six months, but may stay with their mother for two to three years.   Only 50% of cubs generally survive to maturity.  This fragile reproduction cycle has undoubtedly affected their population recovery.  

Nonetheless, the project’s first cubs were born in the wild this year, which alludes to a prosperous future for the Restoration Project of the Asiatic Black Bears.
Photographs and Article by Jocelyn Stokes

Sparklefish - Jocelyn Stokes

Living and breathing here in South Korea everyday for the past nine months has assisted my feelings of cultural inundation. At the same time, outsider that I am, I have also been able to generalize aspects of the culture to the point of ironic symbolism. 

 This is a country, which for obvious geographical purposes,  relies on the fruit of the sea for much of its sustenance. This is also, for reasons unknown, a country that has taken the sparkle-glitter phenomenon to an entirely new level.  From respected business men with their sparkle-adorned neckties to the urban farmers (whose bodies are amazingly fixed in a permanent squat) with their bedazzled, Darth Vader visors.  Perhaps  the degree of one’s sparkliness is in direct relation to one’s authentic Koreaness, or perhaps not.  

Either way the irony of these two  recognizably Korean attributes lies in  their pending seperation.  

Thus, a carefully bejeweled, dried fish carcass is the focus of my most recent Expressionistic photography series.

I hope this can be acknowledged as a celebration of the superb uniqueness of this beautiful country and its people.