202307/29
Recently (July 18), in the Lushan Tribal Community of Ren’ai Township, Nantou County, a Formosan black bear invaded a beekeeping site in the community and damaged beehives. Upon receiving the report, the Nantou Forest District Office of the Forestry Bureau immediately implemented multiple bear prevention measures and installed automatic cameras. Over the next few days, the black bear did not return. The Nantou Forest District Office appreciates the active cooperation of the beekeepers. In addition to assisting in repairing the beehives damaged by the black bear, the Nantou Forest District Office has compensated beekeepers for their honey losses, and residents who cooperated in bear prevention and monitoring have also been rewarded.
The Nantou Forest District Office indicated that after receiving the report of the black bear invading the Lushan beekeeping site on July 18, they sent personnel to conduct surveys along with community members. They found that apart from the damaged beehives, the worker quarters were also invaded. After coordinating with the beekeepers to immediately clear away food, kitchen waste, and refuse at the site, and implementing measures such as installing corrugated metal sheets, playing human sounds at night, and setting off firecrackers to deter bears, the black bear has not been seen for many days. To reassure the community residents, the Nantou Forest District Office has conducted an inventory of seven worker quarters (including camping areas) and four residential houses around the area, and included them in the key alert range. They will continue to be monitored with automatic cameras.
Beekeeper Lin, who was “visited” by the black bear, had his beekeeping equipment damaged and suffered honey losses due to the bear. Deputy Director Tsu-Ming Lee of the Nantou Forest District Office paid him a visit in person and provided compensation in cash. Additionally, as a token of appreciation for reporting the bear’s intrusion, a public award ceremony will also be arranged.
Cheng-Hsien Lee, Director of the Nantou Forest District Office, stated that the conservation of black bears not only emphasizes the survival of their population, but also considers the livelihood and safety of neighboring residents. The government will not let residents bear the cost of black bear conservation alone. Only by doing so can mountain villages become the front line of black bear conservation. Therefore, besides compensating beekeepers for damages, the Nantou Forest District Office will also provide a reward of NT$3,000 to each household within the other alert areas that assisted in reporting and cooperated in bear prevention and other conservation promotion activities, according to the Forestry Bureau’s “Formosan Black Bear Payments for Ecosystem Services Program.” Homeowners who cooperate in monitoring for three months will receive an additional reward of NT$5,000. Currently, discussions are underway with the tribal communities regarding the establishment of a black bear patrol team to hold community-based patrolling, as well as to assist in conservation education and distributing improved hunting equipment. Up to NT$60,000 in annual rewards will also be provided.
Cheng-Hsien Lee also emphasized that as long as preventative measures are taken, black bears will avoid human habitats. The Nantou Forest District Office hopes to work with mountain village residents to create a friendly habitat for black bears, promoting the harmonious co-existence of humans and wildlife.
The Nantou Forest District Office will continue to conduct black bear conservation education promotion in the various mountain villages under its jurisdiction. The Nantou Forest District Office encourages farmers and tribal community members to exchange lasso traps used for pest control or traditional hunting with improved hunting equipment provided free of charge by the Forestry Bureau. The improved equipment has a pedal diameter of less than 12 cm and prevents black bears from getting caught.
The Nantou Forest District Office also reminds the public that if they find signs of black bear tracks or trapped bears, they should immediately report this to the Nantou County Government’s 1999 hotline, the Forestry Bureau’s 24-hour reporting hotline 0800-000-930, or the nearby ranger station of the Forestry Bureau. The government will respond or initiate rescue promptly. Furthermore, when engaging in activities in mountainous areas, it is important to practice the “leave-no-trace” principles, store food properly, and bring all kitchen waste and refuse down the mountain. If you encounter a black bear, please remain calm, avoid shouting and running, and simply slowly retreat to a safe distance.