Hunters and conservationists in Taiwan have joined forces to protect the endangered Formosan black bear, with efforts underway to design new traps that will not harm the bears if they are accidentally caught. The collaboration comes after several incidents where bears were caught in traps set up by indigenous hunters for other animals. While most of the bears were released, some suffered major injuries, such as having limbs amputated, due to old-fashioned hunting tools.
The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency is now encouraging hunters and farmers to adopt new types of traps that are designed to only capture smaller prey without causing amputations, with over 5,600 of these traps already distributed across Taiwan. However, there are still challenges, as some hunters fear prosecution for trapping protected animals and may end up killing snared bears.
One bear, Ziman, who had his paw amputated after being caught in a trap, was later found dead in the mountains, with authorities unable to determine the cause of death. Despite this setback, caretakers remain committed to protecting the Formosan black bear, which is seen as a symbol of Taiwanese identity and cultural heritage.
Conservationists and hunters are working together to ensure the survival of this iconic species, and efforts are ongoing to prevent harm to wildlife and promote coexistence between humans and bears in Taiwan’s mountainous regions. The Formosan black bear, with its distinctive V-shaped white mark on its chest, represents Taiwan’s diverse culture and natural heritage, making it a priority for conservation efforts in the region.
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