Notice! Hsinchu Xia Kaluo National Trail 6.4K Found traces of Taiwanese black bears

As the autumn and winter maple viewing seasons arrive, the Hsinchu Branch of the Forestry and Conservation Department stated that it recently received reports from mountain friends that they witnessed traces of Formosan black bears near the Castle Peak Station about 6.4 kilometers away from the Xiakara National Trail.

Watch out for bears! The Hsinchu Branch of the Ministry of Agriculture’s Forestry and Nature Conservation Service recently received a report from a mountaineer that a Formosan black bear was sighted near the Qingshan Station about 6.4 kilometers of the Xiakaluo National Trail. Since the trail is usually visited by a large number of tourists for hiking, the Hsinchu Branch issued an emergency warning to remind mountaineers who have recently entered the mountain to be alert and take precautions.

The Hsinchu Branch stated that the area around the Xia Kaluo National Trail is the natural habitat of the Formosan black bear, and its activities have been recorded in the past. This sighting of a black bear on the main trail shows that the bear is continuing to use this area for food and habitat. In order to ensure the safety of mountain climbing, the branch specifically calls on tourists to "walk together" and wear bear bells or devices that make noise. If necessary, carry anti-bear spray. In addition, because black bears have an extremely sensitive sense of smell, mountaineers must not throw away food, kitchen waste or garbage after eating in mountainous areas, otherwise the smell will attract black bears and cause a safety hazard.

What should you do if you encounter a black bear in the mountains? The Hsinchu Branch recommends: The most important thing is to "keep calm" and maintain a safe distance. Never approach, chase or take photos to interfere. The correct approach is to face a black bear, continue to make noise, and retreat slowly at a slow pace to give the bear enough time and space to leave on its own.

The Hsinchu Branch emphasizes that if the public finds traces of black bears in mountainous areas, or finds black bears trapped or invading settlements, they should immediately report the situation to the Hsinchu Branch while ensuring their own safety, or call the Forestry and Conservation Department's 24-hour toll-free hotline "0800-000-930" (You, You, You, Save the Mountains) to work together to protect the precious Taiwanese black bears and jointly create a friendly environment where humans and bears can coexist harmoniously.

The Hsinchu Branch stated that if you encounter a black bear in mountainous areas, you should remain calm and maintain a safe distance. The correct approach is to face the black bear, make noise, and slowly retreat away from the scene.