Taiwan reports rise in endangered Formosan black bears

台灣瀕危物種台灣黑熊數量上升

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency has estimated that there are approximately 1,200 Formosan black bears in Taiwan.

The agency previously said the bear population has been increasing since 2011, per CNA. The bears, which are an endangered species under the Wildlife Conservation Act, have been spotted at lower elevations and even in foothills and plains. However, no official population figure had been released until now.

This latest estimate was calculated using nationwide monitoring data and past estimation methods, yielding a figure several hundred higher than previous estimates. However, experts noted that much of the data relies on population density references from abroad, with insufficient domestic data, making it less representative. They suggested waiting for more Taiwan-specific density data before making a more accurate assessment.

Agency Director Lin Hua-ching (林華慶) said that as habitats improve and conservation efforts with local communities continue, the bear population will increase. Authorities must prepare in advance by establishing long-term care solutions for bears that cannot be released, Lin said.

The director said a long-term shelter center is planned for Taitung, with land acquisition currently underway. Design work will begin this year, and completion is expected in 2028. Details such as capacity, staffing, and operations will be finalized after further planning, with long-term care as the primary goal, he added.

Before the center is completed, bears that cannot be released will be placed in long-term care at facilities such as Taipei Zoo, the Biodiversity Research Institute, and Pingtung University, according to Lin.