Characteristics

1. Formosan black bear is also called Taiwan black bear. It has a stout body and is the largest carnivore in Taiwan. Their ears are large and round, the eyes small and dark, and their mouth looks like a dog’s one.

2. Female adults are about 150 centimeters tall, 60 to 110 kilograms heavy; adult bears are about 160 to 174 centimeters tall and weigh 70 to 200 kilograms.

3. With a white V font on the chest like a crescent, so also known as "moon bear."

4. Formosan black bear has 42 teeth.

5. Mostly through the nose to feel the world rather than through the vision. But at close range, they can still use visual identification of color to search for food.

6. Standard omnivores, though carnivorous but not for meat only.

7. To load the weight of the body, walk with the entire palm against the ground. Each of the front and back limbs have five toes, on which the length of claws can reach up to 5 centimeters.

Habitat and quantity

The existing population of black bears in the Bay is about 200 to 600 and is found in the mountains of Taiwan's central mountains at an altitude of 1000 meters to 3,500 meters, with an migrating range of up to 560 square kilometers.

Taiwan black bears live in forests. The range of activities is vast. A black bear’s choice of habitat is affected not only by the richness of food, but also by man-made interference. At an altitude of 1,000 to 2,000 meters covers the Nanlin belt, the forest belt, the climate of which is mild, annually within about 10 to 20 degrees Celsius. As well, with a plenty of plants like camphor and shell, the fruits of the two plants happen to be the main food of black bears in summer, autumn, and winter, which is why black bears prefer such a favorable environment as their habitat. Taiwan black bears’ habitat is enshrouded by primitive forests, 70% of which are composed of mountain broad-leaved forests, as well as conifer broad-leaved mixed forests. Conifer forests are the most popular habitat of black bears.

Existential crisis

1. Illegal hunting: Traps used include slings and iron clips, which may initially be set for herbivores, but because the animals in the trap also attract black bears to approach, invisibly making these trap areas a threat to the lives of black bears. ​

2. Illegal trade: Since the 1970s, there have been several mountain shops, and the whole bear has been acquired. In Asia, many bears are still hunted and traded illegally because of the demand for bear bile, and there is no exception in Taiwan.

3. Habitat destruction: The fragmentation of the habitat transforms the remaining habitat into smaller or more estranged blocks. As a result, ethnic groups that had been distributed would be isolated and segregated, with difficulty in gene exchange and the threat of natural disasters.

4. Road development: Black bears are born from forests, and roads often destroy forest continuity, not only reducing the number of bears allowed to survive on the landscape, but also making bears live in broken forests. They are more likely to appear in farmland or orchards on the edge of forests, being hunted as troublesome or annoying animals. They have long been vulnerable to hunters or stray traps, and is now exposed to greater risks than before.

Conservation methods

1. Pass messages and issues about Taiwan Black Bear to those around you.

2. The correct concept of mountain forest recreation: do not feed, do not approach wild animals, adhere to the rules related to the unmarked mountain forest.

3. Do not consume any bear products, dishes, put an end to trading.

4. Become an association volunteer and participate in education about black bear conservation and other related activities.

5. Join the Citizen Scientists Program and participate in monitoring.

6. Donate to support the association's conservation of endangered wildlife.

7. Buy public goods and become a support for black bear conservation.

8. Participate in the promotion of the Black Bear Notification System.

Citation:

https://www.taiwanbear.org.tw/front

https://wuo-wuo.com/report/46-latest-news/784-what-else-can-we-do-about-black-bear-conservation

http://www.bearconservation.org.uk/formosan-black-bear/

https://www.sunchainmetal.com/tw/news/The+Strongest+Land+Animal+in+Asia+Forest%E2%80%93TUMA