Less than 18 months ago, Mano was scared, alone, and about to be shipped far from home, into the hands of illegal traders. Now, she’s taking her first steps back in the wild.
Mano has been in the care of the International Fund for Animal Welfare’s (IFAW) partner Jakarta Animal Aid Network (JAAN) in Indonesia for most of her life. She was three months old when she was rescued from a car in Jakarta. Acting on a tip-off, JAAN and the Indonesian police intercepted an illegal trade deal that would have seen Mano shipped from Indonesia to Dubai where she could have ended up as a pet or in a private zoo.
Since then, she has been under the watchful eye of her dedicated carers, who take turns looking after her 24/7. When she first arrived, she needed milk every two hours. As she grew, the JAAN team, with IFAW’s support, built a special enclosure for her so she could learn how to climb and find food such as berries, nuts, and termites.
After some time, she graduated to JAAN’s Forest School, where she spent all day exploring the treetops deep in the forest. Her carers remained close as she walked for nine hours and up to six kilometres every day. It was here that she gained her independence and started to master the crucial skills needed to survive in the wild such as making nests and foraging for insects, forest fruits, and water.
The next step in her journey back to the wild was her relocation to a national park – where it’s hoped she will remain for the rest of her life – free and wild. With support from IFAW, Mano’s carers set up an enclosure deep in the park, where they will remain close by until one day, Mano won’t return to the enclosure – and be fully integrated in the wild.
“One year ago, I could have only dreamt of the moment where we are now with Mano’s rehabilitation,” said JAAN’s co-founder Femke den Haas.
“I am so grateful for all the support from IFAW and the team’s hard work in the field to be able to give Mano a second chance in life. She still has a long life ahead, which she should spend happy, healthy and in freedom.”
IFAW Wildlife Rescue Program Director Neil Greenwood said the partnership with JAAN ensures rescued wildlife is given a second chance.
“To watch Mano grow from being scared, vulnerable and completely reliant on her carers to climbing treetops, building nests, and foraging for food so independently is remarkable,” Mr Greenwood said.
“Mano’s future was so close to being ripped away, so to be able to release her back into the wild, where she will hopefully be a valuable part of the population, is a conservation success story.”
IFAW has been working with JAAN for more than a decade to disrupt wildlife trafficking networks, train law enforcement teams (including tracking dogs), and ensure animals confiscated from illegal trade receive the best care.
By IFAW
Top Image: Mano the sun bear is relocated from JAAN’s Forest School to a temporary enclosure in a release forest where she will spend the rest of her life, wild and free. Photo © JAAN
December 2025