By Ian Hall Two new architectural volunteers have arrived in Seplikok to help with the next phase of the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC). They'll be working with organisations such as Raleigh to build peripheral infrastructure and at the same time assisting to prepare tender drawings for the new visitor centre that is hoped to start construction in early 2011. They are pictured here getting all enthusiastic with their sketchbooks at Ba Linn rooftop bar in Sandakan. Chris is an RIBA Part I student on his year...

Arkitrek's first volunteer Billy arrived in September 2009 for a three month stint working at the Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC). Originally due to go home at Christmas, the bears got their claws into Billy and he ended up staying an extra two months. Finally though the day came when we had to say good bye and thanks. Billy's outstanding contribution was to the design of the next phase visitor centre and to the volunteer program that Arkitrek helps to manage on behalf of BSBCC. To date the Bear Action Teams...

As you may know, wild animals in captivity need constant enrichment to reduce boredom and stereotypic behaviour. Last month we provided the bears at the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre with a daily parade of Scottish Scouts for their amusement and benefit. To the bears’ frustration the first thing that the Scouts did was to put up a tarpaulin fence so that they couldn’t see what was going on. They could still peer around the side though and from ovehearing the camaraderie could get a good idea of what was going on. ...

by Jungle Bob (BATs volunteer) View original post on LEAP blog Tony poses in front of the screen wall created by the Scottish Scout group (Photo by Jungle Bob) After a few hiccups relating to helicopter availability and some frantic preparation by Sylvia Alsisto and her team it finally came together. At 9.40 in the morning two helicopters arrived at Sepilok and the visit of one of the World's most prominent former leaders was on. Tony Blair, together with his family and security staff, had arrived and began his visit...