Black bears are seen in the foggy forest recreation area. The Forestry Conservation Department urges tourists to be vigilant

In recent years, black bear activity has been recorded in the Guanwu area, the east line of Dalu Forest Road and around Jiujiu Villa. (Photo by reporter Huang Meizhu)

The Taiwanese black bear was spotted near the Guanwu Waterfall Pavilion in the Guanwu National Forest Recreation Area! The Hsinchu Branch of the Forestry and Conservation Department issued a warning to remind tourists visiting fog-watching areas to pay more attention.

The Hsinchu Branch stated that as soon as the witness spotted the black bear, he immediately turned around and ran away. The black bear did not approach, and both the people and the bear were safe. The sighting site is along the Guanwu Waterfall Trail and is one of the popular recreational attractions in the Guanwu National Forest Recreation Area. Many tourists and mountaineers go hiking to enjoy the scenery. Therefore, people who are active here are reminded to go together as much as possible, carry bear bells or equipment that can make noises, and prepare bear spray when necessary to reduce the risk of Taiwanese black bears approaching and attacking.

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The Hsinchu Branch stated that in recent years, black bear activity records have been recorded in the Guanwu area, the east line of Dalu Forest Road, and around Jiujiu Villa, indicating that Taiwanese black bears continue to use this area to inhabit and forage. The fog-watching area is their key area for long-term black bear monitoring and conservation. Through infrared automatic camera monitoring, habitat patrols and cross-agency cooperation, they continue to understand the dynamics and activity range of the black bear population.

Because Taiwanese black bears have a keen sense of smell, people should not throw away food, kitchen waste and garbage when resting and eating in mountainous areas to avoid the smell attracting black bears. If you do encounter a black bear, you should remain calm and maintain a safe distance. Make noise by facing the bear, and slowly back away to allow the black bear enough space to leave on its own. Do not approach, chase, or take photos to interfere.

The Guanwu National Forest Recreation Area Visitor Center provides bear bell rental services. Wearing a bear bell is intended to continuously make a sound while walking, alerting surrounding wild animals to pay attention to human activities, and reduce the chance of unexpected encounters with Taiwanese black bears. If you really find traces of black bears, have invaded settlements, or are trapped, you can report it through the toll-free hotline 0800-000-930 (you, you, you, you, save the forest).

The Guanwu National Forest Tourist Area Tourist Service Center provides bear bell rental services. (Provided by Forestry and Conservation Department Hsinchu Branch)

The Hsinchu Branch of the Forestry and Conservation Department uses a foldout to guide tourists and mountain residents on how to live peacefully with Formosan black bears. (Provided by Forestry and Conservation Department Hsinchu Branch)

When traveling to mountainous areas where black bears are found in Taiwan, in addition to carrying a bear bell, you can also consider carrying anti-bear spray. (Photo by reporter Huang Meizhu)