Formosan Black Bears Spotted Repeatedly in Alishan, Indicating Stable Population

(CNA, Chiayi City, 5th) The Chiayi Branch of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency issued a press release today stating that Formosan black bears were spotted at the southern end of the Tefuye Historic Trail and the upper reaches of the Nanzi Creek in Zhongshan Village, Alishan Township, in April and May of this year. Notably, a frontal image of a bear was captured, and none of the bears were wearing radio collars, suggesting a stable bear population is active in the Alishan area.

The Chiayi Branch stated that since 2022, it has promoted the Formosan Black Bear Ecological Service Payment Program, encouraging indigenous tribes to engage in bear habitat patrol and ecological monitoring. In April this year, the Tsou Hunters Association successfully captured images of Formosan black bear activity using an infrared automatic camera installed at the southern end of the Tefuye Historic Trail. The association has recorded bear traces for four consecutive years since 2023.

The Chiayi Branch indicated that the bear photographed this time was not wearing a radio collar, and it is believed to be a different individual from the bear involved in an intrusion incident in the Lijia community of Alishan in January this year. The footage shows the bear briefly stopping to observe the camera as it passed by during the day, making the frontal image particularly rare.

The Chiayi Branch recently awarded a NT$50,000 habitat monitoring reward to the Tsou Hunters Association, recognizing their long-term commitment to mountain patrol and monitoring work.

The Chiayi Branch also reported that infrared automatic cameras installed by the Alishan Work Station near the upper reaches of the Nanzi Creek in Zhongshan Village recorded bear activity images on May 11 and 23, respectively. Like the bear found at the southern end of the Tefuye Historic Trail in April, these bears were not wearing radio collars, further indicating a stable bear population in the Alishan area.

The Chiayi Branch noted that the Tefuye Historic Trail is a popular hiking route, but the location where the bears were found is about 500 meters away from the trail and not on the public hiking path, so the public should not panic. If a bear is accidentally trapped, the public is advised not to panic or conceal the incident, but to immediately report it to the relevant authorities to facilitate timely rescue and increase the bear's chances of survival.