Adult sun bears are poached for body parts which are thought to have medicinal properties. Orphaned cubs are kept illegally as pets.

Natural habitat is disappearing fast. In this inspirational story, Malaysian ecologist Dr Wong Siew Te, or 'papa bear', tries to save the 'forgotten bear' from extinction. His quest takes him around the world, and in 2017 he is acknowledged as a CNN Wildlife Hero-proving one person can make a difference.

Australian author Dr Sarah Pye takes readers on a journey of discovery, introducing individual sun bears she has come to know: Natalie, who learns to survive without her mother; Bongkud, who is struck by lightning; Gutuk, who is too scared to go outside; and Debbie, who grabs her chance at freedom. Saving Sun Bears is Wong's story-and theirs.