TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A Formosan black bear was rescued on Wednesday after being caught in a trap in Miaoli, marking the first recorded sighting of the endangered species on Simaxian Forest Road.
A utility contractor inspecting water pipelines discovered the bear in the forested area outside Shei-Pa National Park and alerted authorities. Rescue teams, including park officials, local Indigenous community members, Taiwan Biodiversity Research Institute veterinarians, and ecological consultants, arrived at the scene, according to CNA.
The male bear, weighing 31 kilograms, was sedated for an initial assessment and transferred to the institute’s emergency center in Nantou. Veterinarians found the bear had suffered severe injuries to its front left paw.
After performing wound debridement, they determined the paw could not be saved and amputated it on Thursday. Officials reported the bear is now stable and will remain under observation, with release into the wild possible after recovery.
Formosan black bears are increasingly moving into lower elevations near human settlements. The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency said it has conducted annual black bear rescue drills with local agencies and Indigenous communities since 2024 to improve emergency response.
Mountain residents and campground operators are urged to manage food and kitchen waste carefully and strengthen protections for livestock and poultry. Residents and Indigenous hunters can contact local forestry offices to receive free improved trapping equipment, designed to prevent the accidental capture of non-target species such as Formosan black bears.
Formosan black bears mainly live in the Central Mountain Range. They are also rarely seen in the Coastal Mountain Range along Taiwan’s eastern coast, according to Yushan National Park.
Recorded activity ranges from 300 to 3,700 meters, mostly between 1,000 and 2,500 meters. Simaxian Forest Road, built during the Japanese colonial period to transport timber, passes through dense pine and cypress forests at 1,865–2,026 m, according to Hikingbook.
