TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A Formosan black bear was shot and euthanized on Monday in Hualien after it attacked a dog and lunged toward a patrol team.
The Hualien branch of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency said the bear had been disturbing Zhuoxi Village for several days, killing chickens and preying on four pet dogs, per CNA. The agency formed a patrol team with tribal members to drive the bear away.
At around 9 p.m. Monday, patrol members heard a dog wailing near a residence. They followed the sound and found the bear about 50 meters away biting a black dog.
When they shouted at it, the bear moved aggressively toward the patrol team, prompting an officer to fire a single shot. After being shot, the bear collapsed in a nearby ditch.
The bear was identified as YNP-BB02, a black bear previously released and tracked as part of a research project by Yushan National Park Headquarters four years ago. Just a day earlier, the park authorities had agreed to commission experts to capture the bear alive, while FANCA was tasked with deterrent efforts.
FANCA deployed staff from its Yuli workstation for nighttime patrols last week. These patrols were armed with hunting rifles for self-defense.
After the bear collapsed, 28 personnel from WildOne Wildlife Conservation Association, Yushan National Park Headquarters, and the Formosan Wild Sound Conservation Science Center went to the scene. The bear was sedated for injury assessment and sent to WildOne Wildlife Hospital.
A medical examination revealed multiple spinal fractures causing paralysis in the lower limbs. It had a severely collapsed lung accompanied by bleeding and respiratory distress. The bear would not have recovered and was euthanized by anesthesia.
The carcass will be transferred to the Ministry of Agriculture's Veterinary Research Institute for a full necropsy, said FANCA.
FANCA noted that from April 11-21, the bear disturbed Zhongzheng Tribe, coming within 100 meters of the village. Residents had voiced concerns.
In response, the agency helped high-risk homes install motion sensor lights and alarms, and advised residents to obtain deterrents like firecrackers, air horns, and bear bells from the Yuli workstation. Hualien County Government was also asked to increase police patrols.
Due to the Bunun’s belief that killing a black bear is taboo, Zhongzheng Village held a purification ritual on Tuesday to ward off misfortune.
FANCA expressed regret over the incident, but emphasized the action was taken to ensure safety and complied with the Wildlife Conservation Act. Out of respect for the Bunun community’s customs, FANCA personnel attended the tribe’s purification ritual.
