Lounging in a hammock, wrestling or playfully rearranging their exhibit, there is no doubt that Taronga’s Malayan Sun Bears will make you smile, but there is more to their story.

Mr Hobbs arrived at Taronga with the help of the Free the Bears after he was rescued by an Australian businessman from a tiny wooden crate outside a Cambodian restaurant.

Worldwide, the illegal trade in wildlife is comparable in value to that of drugs and arms. It also sits alongside habitat loss as the greatest threats to the future of many species, including the Vulnerable Sun Bear. Wild Sun Bear populations are under threat from poaching to meet a demand as exotic pets, restaurant dishes and traditional medicines.

Meet our Sun Bears

Meet Taronga's two Sun Bears, Mr Hobbs and Mary. Mary, a boisterous almost three year old, has recently joined the Taronga family from Canberra’s National Zoo and Aquarium. Keeping up with Mary has brought a new lease on life to Mr Hobbs. She is teaching him to be more adventurous.

Defending the wild

Asia is the wild home of five species of bear, including the Sun Bear, Asiatic Black (or Moon) Bear, Sloth Bear, Brown Bear and Giant Panda. All Asian bears are in decline due largely to habitat destruction and the commercial trade in bears and their parts.