The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency today said it did not use a tranquilizer gun or blow dart on a Formosan black bear that was shot and killed on Monday in Hualien County, as they require the supervision of a veterinarian licensed to administer anesthetics.
A hunting rifle was used, as human life must remain a priority in emergency situations, it said.
The bear is also no longer at risk of extinction, as their numbers have increased over the past 20 years, it added.
Photo courtesy of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency
Following public concern, the agency posted an explanation to its Facebook page.
The bear was spotted attacking a dog in Jhuosi Village (卓溪) at about 9pm on Monday.
After the animal ran toward agency personnel who were conducting a patrol, the responding officer fired a single shot before contacting authorities, the agency’s Hualien branch said.
Foresters said they transferred the bear to the WildOne Wildlife Hospital in Taitung County.
However, as the bear sustained multiple spinal fractures, a collapsed lung and internal bleeding, it ultimately had to be euthanized, it added.
Since April 11, a bear wearing a GPS collar affixed by researchers had been observed near the Bunun village of Sinkan, eating chickens, a goose and several dogs.
In response, the agency personnel and village patrols took turns conducting night patrols of the area, with agency personnel carrying firearms due to the bear’s unusually aggressive behavior.
A hunting rifle was used, as the bear weighed more than 100kg, the agency said today, adding that attempts to drive it away had already failed.
The bear was not shot “just to protect dogs,” but as its aggressive behavior had escalated from chickens to dogs, prompting concern for the safety of children and elderly residents, it added.
The officer responded in self-defense, and as mountainous communities are on the front line of protecting Taiwan’s biodiversity, they must be able to protect themselves from wild animals, the agency said.
Only when residents feel safe can they also help toward biodiversity and conservation efforts, it added.
Moreover, compared with estimates from 20 years ago, the Formosan black bear population has increased several-fold, with monitoring data across Taiwan showing a marked increase in sightings and overall biodiversity, it said.
Their habitat has expanded from mid to high-level elevation into lower mountain regions, with more sightings at areas below 1,200m in the past five years, it added.
The species is still listed as endangered, although it is no longer in imminent threat of extinction, it said.
More information on Formosan black bear populations would be released at a later time, it added.
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