Gula – the new star of Orientarium

Gula has arrived – a female sun bear, straight from Cologne Zoo. She is only the second representative of this rare species in our zoo and marks another step in expanding our section dedicated to the wildlife of Southeast Asia.

The sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) is the smallest bear species in the world. Adults typically measure around 1.2–1.5 meters in length and weigh between 30 and 70 kilograms. They are easy to recognize by the light patch on their chest, which resembles the rising sun, and by their exceptionally long tongue – reaching up to 25 centimeters – perfect for extracting honey and insects from hard-to-reach places. Sun bears are excellent climbers, spending much of their time in the treetops, feeding on fruits, seeds, and small animals. Sadly, in the wild they are a threatened species, facing habitat loss and poaching.