Malayan Sun Bear

Helarctos malayanus Endangered Standing 4' tall, these are the smallest bears in the world. IUCN estimates a decline of ~35% for the past 30 years; ~40% in the near future. They are forest dependent, thus forest loss / fragmentation is directly linked with population decline. SE Asia has the highest relative rate of forest loss over the past 30 years than anywhere. On top of this, they are slaughtered for gallbladders and other parts used in Chinese traditional medicine. Lithograph 2018