A Formosan black bear (Ursus thibetanus formosanus) was shot and later euthanized by Taiwan’s Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency (FANCA) in Hualien County on Monday night, igniting renewed debate on human-wildlife conflict, indigenous beliefs, and the complexities of conservation in Taiwan’s mountainous regions.
📍 Incident Overview: From Village to Tragedy
The incident occurred in Zhuoxi Village (Panital), a remote area known for its proximity to the Central Mountain Range, where the critically endangered Formosan black bears still roam. According to FANCA, the bear was observed attacking a dog and reacted aggressively toward a patrol team when confronted. Despite verbal deterrence efforts, the animal charged, prompting an officer to fire a single shot.
The wounded bear, later identified as YNP-BB02—a male previously released under a Yushan National Park research tracking project—collapsed nearby and was transported for veterinary care. Despite efforts to stabilize it, the bear was found to have multiple spinal fractures, a collapsed lung, and internal bleeding and was euthanized under deep anesthesia.
🧭 Background: A Bear with a History
YNP-BB02 was not a random encounter. The bear had previously been observed raiding poultry farms and attacking dogs over a ten-day stretch in Zhuoxi. This kind of bold, predatory behavior is rare for Formosan black bears, which are typically elusive and shy. Local panic surged when the bear was seen less than 100 meters from Zhongzheng Village (Sinkan), home to many Bunun Indigenous residents.
These patterns raise questions about why a bear involved in a government conservation program had begun acting outside of typical behavioral norms. Experts speculate the animal may have lost its natural foraging instincts after repeated human contact, or it may have suffered internal health issues affecting its cognition and behavior prior to the fatal night.
🧬 The Conservation Angle: Symbol of a Larger Issue
The Formosan black bear, Taiwan’s only native bear species and a national symbol, is listed as endangered under the Wildlife Conservation Act. Estimates suggest fewer than 300 individuals remain in the wild. Every death—especially one from a government firearm—represents not just the loss of an individual, but a blow to ongoing conservation credibility.
FANCA and Yushan National Park have long been involved in “wild to wild” relocation programs and public education efforts. The euthanized bear, ironically, was part of such an initiative aimed at reintegrating captive or rescued bears into the wild. That very program is now under scrutiny, with wildlife advocates calling for review of monitoring systems and release criteria.
⚖️ Legal and Cultural Layers
While FANCA defended the shooting as compliant with Taiwan’s Wildlife Conservation Act, the situation is complicated by Indigenous customs. The Bunun tribe, local to the area, consider killing bears deeply taboo. A purification ritual was performed by village elders, and FANCA committed to attending out of respect.
This collision of state policy, public safety, and Indigenous beliefs reflects broader tensions in Taiwan’s conservation strategy. “We regret this outcome,” FANCA said in a statement, “but human safety must remain a priority in situations where wildlife exhibits threatening behavior.”
🔍 Lessons and Looking Forward
The incident has reignited calls for proactive wildlife conflict management, including:
- Installing early-warning bear detection systems
- Providing conflict resolution training for local patrol teams
- Creating buffer zones between rural communities and forest edges
- Revising post-release monitoring protocols for rehabilitated animals
International conservation groups have also weighed in, with some suggesting FANCA explore the use of non-lethal options such as bear spray, sound deterrents, and tranquilizer darts in future encounters.
The Veterinary Research Institute under the Ministry of Agriculture is expected to release a full necropsy report, which may provide additional insight into the bear’s physiological state and behavior.
❓ FAQs
Why was the Formosan black bear shot?
The bear exhibited aggressive behavior, charged at patrol officers, and had previously preyed on dogs and raided farms. FANCA considered it a public safety threat.
Was the bear part of a conservation program?
Yes, it was a released subject of Yushan National Park’s tracking and rehabilitation program. It had been monitored under the ID YNP-BB02 for four years.
Why wasn’t non-lethal force used?
FANCA stated that the situation escalated rapidly and firing a weapon was necessary to prevent harm. However, the event has triggered calls for better non-lethal preparedness.
What role did local Indigenous beliefs play?
The Bunun community, who consider bear-killing taboo, conducted a spiritual purification ritual. FANCA attended and acknowledged the cultural impact of the event.
What conservation concerns does this raise?
The bear’s death points to flaws in reintegration efforts, lack of effective monitoring, and increasing wildlife-human overlap due to habitat encroachment.
