SANDAKAN: A Swedish couple had the shock of their lives when they spotted the carcass of an adult sun bear floating at the Kinabatangan River during a cruise on Saturday.
Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) chief executive officer Wong Siew Te said the couple shared the photograph taken around 6pm.
"The carcass was the lower part of a sun bear that was cut into half with both of the hind paws missing. It was seen floating downstream of Kampung Sukau, close to an agricultural estate.
"The sun bear’s carcass was recovered later that night with the help of Kinabatangan Corridor of Life Tourism Association (KiTA) members and sent to the Sabah Wildlife Department for investigation.
"I believe the bear was killed in cold blood and this is an illegal act that should be stopped immediately," stressed Wong in a statement.
Wong said the tourist couple were angry after seeing the dead mammal which they believed was a victim of poaching.