Injured Formosan Black Bear in Wuling Named 'Qyawal' by Atayal Elder, Released Back to Wild
A Formosan black bear rescued in Taichung's Wuling area has been released into the wild after 10 months of medical care. It was named 'Qyawal' by an Atayal elder to bless its safe return.
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- 📰 Published: April 23, 2026 at 19:29
- 🔍 Collected: April 23, 2026 at 20:01 (32 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 23, 2026 at 20:11 (9 min after Collected)
(Central News Agency reporter Chao Li-yen, Taichung, 23rd) A Formosan black bear trapped and rescued in the Wuling area of Taichung last June has recovered its strength and foraging abilities after 10 months of medical care. Named "Qyawal" in the Atayal language, it was released back to the forest today at Zhile Creek.
The Taichung Branch of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency stated that on June 17 last year, a deep animal cry was heard near the Wuling Mountain Villa. After searching, a forest ranger found a black bear caught in a trap. The ranger immediately notified the Shei-Pa National Park Headquarters and coordinated with a team from the Taiwan Biodiversity Research Institute to assist in the rescue. The bear was successfully extracted the next morning and sent for medical treatment.
The Taichung Branch pointed out that when rescued, the bear weighed only 63 kilograms. Triage revealed it was an adult male bear suffering from anemia, malnutrition, and dental defects. The medical team collaborated with domestic and international veterinary experts, including veterinary dentistry specialists, to perform oral treatments lasting several months. They extracted teeth with severely ulcerated gums caused by periodontal disease and repaired damaged canines.
After treatment, the bear's weight increased to 85.5 kilograms. Initially, it could only ingest pureed food, but gradually recovered the ability to normally chew fagaceous plants and raw meat containing fascia. During care, experts observed its climbing abilities, environmental adaptation, and avoidance responses to humans. Experts evaluated its overall health and behavioral status to have met the standards for release.
The Taichung Branch convened the Shei-Pa National Park Headquarters, the Taiwan Biodiversity Research Institute, and black bear conservation scholars to reach a consensus, selecting Zhile Creek within the Shei-Pa National Park for the release. Before the release, an elder from the Songmao tribe named the bear "Qyawal," the original Atayal name for Wuling, where the bear was rescued, hoping it would be safe after returning to the mountains.
The Taichung Branch explained that although this released bear has no behavioral record of approaching mountain villages, to better understand its habitat use and living habits, its activities will continue to be monitored in real-time via a satellite collar and an electronic fence system after release. If the bear is found entering the electronic fence area, early warning and preventive measures will be activated immediately.
Given the expansion of black bears' activity range in recent years, the Taichung Branch continues to promote the Ecological Service Payment for Formosan Black Bears. Concurrently, it collaborates with local shops in the Songhe tribe along the Dajia River and convenience stores in the Greater Lishan area to establish "Conservation Groceries." This encourages tribespeople and mountain villagers in need to exchange for modified traps, creating a friendly environment where humans and bears coexist peacefully. (Editor: Lung Po-an) 1150423
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The Taichung Branch of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency stated that on June 17 last year, a deep animal cry was heard near the Wuling Mountain Villa. After searching, a forest ranger found a black bear caught in a trap. The ranger immediately notified the Shei-Pa National Park Headquarters and coordinated with a team from the Taiwan Biodiversity Research Institute to assist in the rescue. The bear was successfully extracted the next morning and sent for medical treatment.
The Taichung Branch pointed out that when rescued, the bear weighed only 63 kilograms. Triage revealed it was an adult male bear suffering from anemia, malnutrition, and dental defects. The medical team collaborated with domestic and international veterinary experts, including veterinary dentistry specialists, to perform oral treatments lasting several months. They extracted teeth with severely ulcerated gums caused by periodontal disease and repaired damaged canines.
After treatment, the bear's weight increased to 85.5 kilograms. Initially, it could only ingest pureed food, but gradually recovered the ability to normally chew fagaceous plants and raw meat containing fascia. During care, experts observed its climbing abilities, environmental adaptation, and avoidance responses to humans. Experts evaluated its overall health and behavioral status to have met the standards for release.
The Taichung Branch convened the Shei-Pa National Park Headquarters, the Taiwan Biodiversity Research Institute, and black bear conservation scholars to reach a consensus, selecting Zhile Creek within the Shei-Pa National Park for the release. Before the release, an elder from the Songmao tribe named the bear "Qyawal," the original Atayal name for Wuling, where the bear was rescued, hoping it would be safe after returning to the mountains.
The Taichung Branch explained that although this released bear has no behavioral record of approaching mountain villages, to better understand its habitat use and living habits, its activities will continue to be monitored in real-time via a satellite collar and an electronic fence system after release. If the bear is found entering the electronic fence area, early warning and preventive measures will be activated immediately.
Given the expansion of black bears' activity range in recent years, the Taichung Branch continues to promote the Ecological Service Payment for Formosan Black Bears. Concurrently, it collaborates with local shops in the Songhe tribe along the Dajia River and convenience stores in the Greater Lishan area to establish "Conservation Groceries." This encourages tribespeople and mountain villagers in need to exchange for modified traps, creating a friendly environment where humans and bears coexist peacefully. (Editor: Lung Po-an) 1150423
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship from you is the power to protect press freedom.
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The text, images, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.