TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Sightings of Formosan black bears by the public in Central Taiwan’s Yushan National Park have markedly increased this year, reports said Friday (Aug. 2).

By mid-April, 11 sightings had been reported by hikers, per CNA. Eight of the encounters took place near the Walami Trail on the Hualien County side of the park.

The number of sightings for 2024 had gone up to 18 by mid-July, including 10 on the Walami Trail. Official estimates put the Formosan black bear population inside Yushan National Park at 139 bears.

The area surrounding Taiwan’s tallest peak, the 3,952-meter Yushan, forms the main habitat for the bears, though the country counts between 200 and 600 of the animals. The Formosan black bear has grown into a national symbol, often serving as a mascot in tourism promotion campaigns.

In recent years, the bear population has increased, leading to more of the animals venturing outside the confines of the national park. The change could lead to more encounters and conflicts between humans and animals, according to park management.

The park said it had improved staff training to respond to emergencies. A training session took place at a visitors’ center in Hualien County’s Zhuoxi Township Thursday (Aug. 1) focusing on how to track bears and save injured animals.