The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency today recaptured a Formosan black bear and sent it to a wildlife rescue center for recovery and examination, after a video circulated of the animal limping and wearing a collar.
The bear named Da Qu-ali (達古阿里) was spotted around Yuancheng Village (源城) in Hualien County’s Yuli Township (玉里), before being recaptured this morning.
It was released by the agency last year, but came down from the mountains after winter ended, the Hualien branch of the agency said.
Photo courtesy of the Nature Conservation Agency Hualien branch
Since coming down from the mountain, the bear has repeatedly entered schools and other locations, with video showing it is likely weak or has a foot injury, it said.
The bear spent the winter in Yushan National Park before starting to descend to lower altitudes last month, the branch said.
It crossed an electronic fence set up by the agency late last month, it said.
Since Tuesday last week, the bear has frequently visited a mango orchard where farmers use animal carcasses to attract flies to pollinate their fruit and has also been seen on roads around Yuancheng.
To avoid encounters with humans, the agency said it has alerted residents of the bear’s presence, although on Saturday, a group of people ran into the bear at night and took a video.
When the bear was captured today, rescuers found its weight had decreased from 91kg to 63kg and that its left rear leg had new wounds.
Da Qu-ali was then sent to the WildOne Wildlife Conservation Association for a detailed examination.
Whether the bear would be returned to the wild again or get long-term care in a facility would be determined at a later date after a thorough physical checkup by experts, the agency said.
Da Qu-ali was first rescued by the agency in late March last year after it repeatedly trespassed in areas near human settlements in Yuli.
After eight months of physical therapy, it was returned to the wild with a satellite tracker around his neck.
The agency reminded the public that black bear activity has been recorded south of Hualien County’s Rueisui Township (瑞穗).
If encountering a bear, do not look around, stay calm and retreat slowly, it said.
If encountered while driving, allow the bear to leave and walk away slowly, it added.
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