2 Formosan black bears rescued and released back into the wild

Taipei, April 1 (CNA) A male and female Formosan black bear were successfully rescued from snare traps in Taitung County and released back into the wild, the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency said Tuesday.

This marks the first-ever simultaneous rescue of two bears, which occurred at 2 p.m. on Monday when a patrol team from Yanping Township discovered the animals at the junction of an Indigenous reserve and state-owned forest, located 725 meters above sea level, the agency said.

The male bear weighed 60 kilograms, while the female weighed 43 kilograms, the agency said, adding that both animals had their left forelimbs trapped in snares, which were about 10 meters apart.

Fortunately, the bears' injuries were minor, and after receiving on-site treatment and cleaning of their wounds, they were monitored until the anesthesia wore off, it said.

Once awake, the bears walked off and safely returned back to their natural habitat, the agency said.

The rescue represents a significant milestone for the local community, as it is the first time two Formosan black bears have been successfully rescued and returned to the wild, it said.

A tribal member from the rescue team expressed both relief and pride, saying, "We're happy we did the right thing. We helped our neighbors, the bears, safely return home."

Given the increasing presence of Formosan black bears in lowland and settlement areas, the agency said it will continue to provide improved hunting equipment to local farmers and tribes to help manage other wildlife without harming the bears which are protected.