Formosan black bear and cub rescued in Eastern Taiwan

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — An adult Formosan black bear and a cub were rescued by employees of Hualien’s Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency this week. On March 27, the agency received a report that an adult female bear was caught in a lasso trap in Hualien’s Zhuoxi Township. Agents quickly mobilized a team of 20 responders to free the bear and transport her to the Wild One conservatory and animal sanctuary for medical treatment and observation, according to a press release . The agency also received a report that a black bear cub was spotted in a tree not far from where the adult was trapped. Concerned for the animal’s safety, the agency set up cameras, motion detectors, and two cage traps to capture the cub. On Saturday evening, cameras revealed that the cub had found its way safely to one of the cage traps, according to a press release . Agents returned to the area on Sunday morning to retrieve the cub and transport it to the Wild One conservatory. The cub was safely captured on March 30. At the time of the mother’s rescue, she weighed 58 kilograms. She was dehydrated, and her front left paw was swollen and chaffed due to the lasso trap. Her condition was not critical, and a full recovery is expected. The adult bear was caught in a lasso trap. (Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency photo) The black bear cub was a female that weighed 11.5 kilograms. After examination, she was found to be in good health. The adult is assumed to be the cub’s mother, but a test will be conducted for confirmation. The members of the public who reported the bears will be compensated per a wildlife protection initiative . A subsidy fund was established in 2022 that awards NT$3,000 (US$90) for verifiable reports of Formosan black bear intrusions. The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency also warned hunters and those trying to protect property from animals that they should not use lasso traps. The traps, which are typically used to hunt wild boar, can easily ensnare Formosan black bears, which are a protected species. The agency said it will assist hunters and landowners in updating equipment with traps and deterrents that are not as harmful to the bear population.