This adorable sun bear cub has accomplished her first climbing feat, scaling a small ladder under the watchful eye of her attentive zookeeper.

Footage shows the curious cub cautiously approaching the wooden ladder, sniffing it with interest before beginning her ascent at Moscow Zoo, Russia.

Despite some initial hesitation during her first try, the determined little climber quickly mastered the technique, earning cheers from her caretakers.

In a November 14 statement, Moscow Zoo said: 'At first, climbing up was easy for her, but she struggled to figure out how to climb down.

'However, through trial and error, she mastered all the necessary skills. She proved to be incredibly smart and determined; if she made a mistake, she quickly learned from it, and her next attempt was already successful.'

Lead Zookeeper in the Mammals Department, Denis Kochatov, added: 'We understand that tiles are harder than natural ground.

'So to keep the little bear safe, we were always nearby, ready to support her throughout her journey of mastering new equipment.

'Once she became more confident at climbing, we placed soft blankets around the ladder, stumps, and benches to ensure that if she made a mistake, her fall would be cushioned.'

Sun bears (Helarctos malayanus) are the smallest bears in the world and are native to the tropical forests of Southeast Asia.

The species is threatened by heavy deforestation, illegal hunting for food, and the wildlife trade.

Sun bears are also harmed in conflicts with humans when they enter farmlands, plantations, and orchards.

The global population is estimated to have declined by 35 per cent since the 1990s. The species is listed as 'Vulnerable' on IUCN's Red List of Threatened Species.