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🇹🇼 Taiwan /Environment & Climate

Black Bear Sighting on Taiwan's Weiliaoshan Trail Prompts Public Alert

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • A Formosan black bear was recently recorded by an infrared camera on Weiliaoshan Trail in Kaohsiung and Pingtung, Taiwan.
  • The trail is a popular hiking spot, and authorities are urging visitors to be vigilant and follow safety guidelines to prevent human-bear conflicts.
  • The Formosan black bear is a protected species, and its increasing presence in lower mountain areas suggests a potential expansion of its habitat.

A Formosan black bear has been sighted on the Weiliaoshan Trail, a popular hiking route spanning the mountainous areas of Kaohsiung and Pingtung in Taiwan. Infrared cameras captured images of the protected animal on May 30th at an altitude of approximately 1,250 meters, between the eastern trailhead and the summit.

This sighting follows previous reports of the bear's presence in the Weiliaoshan area. The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency's Pingtung branch suggests that the bear's range may be expanding into foothills regions. They theorize that recent construction on the eastern trailhead may have reduced human disturbance, leading the bear to explore this area.

The Formosan black bear is a protected wild animal, and its range has been gradually approaching the foothills in recent years.

— Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency's Pingtung branchExplaining the significance of the bear's presence in the Weiliaoshan area.

Given that the Weiliaoshan Trail is a well-frequented hiking destination, often used as a training ground for climbing Taiwan's highest peaks, authorities are emphasizing the need for increased public awareness. Hikers are advised to remain vigilant, travel in groups, avoid solitary excursions, and refrain from hiking during dawn, dusk, or nighttime.

We remind the public to be vigilant when entering the mountains, adhere to hiking safety principles, and reduce the risk of human-bear conflicts.

— Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency's Pingtung branchIssuing a warning and safety advice to hikers following the bear sighting.

To minimize the risk of human-bear encounters, visitors are urged to carry sound-making devices like bear bells, properly store all food and trash, and take them out of the mountains. If a bear is encountered, the agency advises remaining calm, keeping a safe distance, not taking photos, facing the bear, and slowly backing away. Using bear spray for distance is recommended if necessary, but the agency cautions against playing dead or climbing trees.

The Formosan black bear is a vulnerable species, and its reappearance in more accessible areas serves as a reminder for coexistence. The agency provides contact numbers for reporting sightings or requesting assistance: 0800-000-930 or 08-7236941.

If you encounter a black bear while hiking, remain calm, do not approach, do not take photos, face the bear, and slowly back away.

— Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency's Pingtung branchProviding specific instructions on how to react during a bear encounter.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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