Look at the photo above and ask yourself, how can anyone claiming to be ‘human’ keep two wild-caught sun bears in cages like this?

You might very well go on to ask yourself why the Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) has not yet confiscated both bears and taken them to the nearby state-approved sun bear rescue centre.

Both are perfectly valid questions. Answers, though, are as elusive as ever.

Rumour has it SWD have previously granted, illegally, a licence to the self-proclaimed owner of the bears allowing him to keep his ‘trophy’ animals.

Licence or not the cages break every relevant section of the Wildlife Conservation Act.

Plus, the cages are downright cruel, as is the treatment of the bears.

Not forgetting mother bears don’t donate their cubs to hunters and wealthy individuals.

First, the mothers must be killed so the babies can be captured, tormented and tortured for the rest of their lives.

Numerous pleas to Masidi Manjun in recent weeks to exert his authority have not worked.

We are left to wonder why he allows the bears’ suffering to continue.

The Sabah Wildlife Department is no stranger to criticism for its relaxed attitude towards law enforcement.

No one will ever forgive them for the mass slaughter of baby elephants they have failed to fully investigate and arrest the guilty people.

When did you last hear of anyone being prosecuted in Sabah for a wildlife law violation?

What makes matters worse, even depressing, concerning these bears, is the total silence of all NGOs in Sabah.

I’ve not seen one speak up in defence of the bears.

People making a comfortable living from wildlife not coming to the help of two bears unable to help themselves.

What do you think of them and the Sabah Wildlife Department?

SEAN WHYTE is CEO, Nature Alert.