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Acorns key to Formosan black bear movements

Formosan black bears, the only bear species endemic to Taiwan, forage near Yushan (玉山) following the fruit bearing season of a specific kind of oak tree, a recent study conducted by local zoologists found.

Formosan black bear, or ursus thibetanus formosanus is a subspecies of the Asiatic black bear. The species, the largest mammal in Taiwan, usually inhabits forest areas at elevations between 1,000m and 3,500m.

Scientists believe that the bears leave their domain only when the food supply becomes scarce.

The zoologists, who have closely observed the black bear’s activities for nearly a decade, reported on Wednesday that the number of bears in the region laced with ring-cupped oaks always rises sharply from October to January, corresponding with the period when acorns are produced.

Hwang Mei-hsiu (黃美秀), assistant professor at National Pingtung University of Science and Technology and leader of the project, said the average bear population in the neighborhood between October and January is around 1.5 times that in February to September.

“Bears usually begin to arrive by late October, and leave after acorns become scarce. When there are no nuts at all, the bears disappear entirely,” said Hwang during a thesis presentation organized by the Yushan National Park Administration, the supervising agency for the areas neighboring Yushan.

Hwang, nicknamed “Mother Black Bear” for her contribution to the understanding and conservation of the endangered species, said during the years when ring-cupped oaks produce less fruit, the bears are more likely invade human territory to seek food.

Animal researchers suggested that the acorn production volume can be recognized as an index of the aggressiveness of wild black bears from October to January.

They also suggested that when the nut supply is expected to decrease, a warning about prowling bears could be issued to residents or tourists in the area.
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