Taiwan issues guidelines to manage human-black bear conflicts

The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency has released new guidelines to manage human-black bear conflicts in Taiwan following observations that black bears are increasingly approaching human activity areas. Camera footage from collars worn by released bears, ‘Dagu-ali’ and ‘Aliman’, revealed that bears are learning to associate human settlements with food, such as scavenging trash and leftover meals near mountain sheds and worker camps.

The new ‘Human-Bear Conflict Response Guidelines’ categorize encounters into three types: sighting, disturbance, and injury. Response measures are divided into four levels: tracking, protective monitoring, active dispersal, and trapping. To mitigate risks, the agency is implementing AI-powered image recognition and early warning systems in high-risk areas like the Dajia Lake and Daxueshan National Forest Recreation Area.

Experts emphasize that proper waste management is critical to preventing bears from habituating to human presence. Recommendations include using bear-proof trash bins and ensuring all food waste is carried down from mountains. While current conflict levels in Taiwan are lower than in Japan, officials noted the need for increased funding to support ongoing research, tribal prevention capabilities, and monitoring technologies as the black bear population continues to expand.