Formosan black bear euthanized after trap injury

台灣黑熊中陷阱受傷後被安樂死

Veterinarians unable to save bear after rescue from Taitung forest


TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A Formosan black bear was euthanized by a veterinarian on Sunday (March 24) after a wildlife trap caused severe tissue injury, leading to sepsis and organ failure.

The bear was discovered in a trap by an indigenous Bunun patrol near Taitung’s Yanping Township, Yongkang Tribal Village, at an altitude of 760 m next to an industrial road at 4:20 p.m. Wednesday (March 20), per UDN. The patrol was carrying out regular monitoring when they heard a groaning sound which led them to the trapped bear.

Soon, 30 people were mobilized, traveling on a trail cleared by the Indigenous patrol, allowing a veterinarian to tend to the bear. After being anesthetized and receiving medical care, the adult 93 kg male bear was brought out of the forest on a stretcher.

Wang Yufan (王宇凡), captain of the local patrol, said rescuers divided up the work to create a safe route for the bear. It was almost midnight when the bear arrived at a WildOne veterinary hospital. After attempts to save the bear failed, it was euthanized and sent to the Ministry of Agriculture's Veterinary Research Institute for an autopsy.

Forestry and Nature Conservancy Agency Taitung Branch said that in recent years Formosan black bear populations in Taitung have begun to appear in shallow mountain areas, encroaching on human settlements and even plains areas. While Indigenous tribes still retain the right to hunt and farm, they also must prevent harm to protected wildlife.

For Formosan black bear conservation, more cooperation is being undertaken between government authorities and Indigenous tribal villages. So far, conservation measures have expanded to Wuling, Taoyuan, and Yongkang tribal villages, and though efforts failed this time, there is hope that future generations of Formosan black bears will be protected.

Taitung forestry officials appealed to the public to report trapped wildlife by calling the Taitung County Government Citizen Service Hotline 1999 or the Forestry and Nature Conservancy Agency 24-hour hotline 0800-000-930. Furthermore, those reporting such incidents will not be held accountable for trapping or accidentally injuring wild animals.