Fatal shooting of Hualien bear by conservationist 'necessary': FANCA

Taipei, April 23 (CNA) The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency (FANCA) said Wednesday that the shooting and killing of a black bear by a conservationist in Hualien was a "regrettable but necessary action."

In a statement, FANCA said that the use of a nonlethal tranquilizer would have required the supervision of licensed veterinarians.

Given the urgency of the situation, the members of Monday evening's patrol shot the bear in self-defense, FANCA said.

According to the agency, the bear preyed on four dogs and raided poultry over a 10-day period in Zhuoxi Village.

Before it was shot, the most recent sighting of the bear was less than 100 meters from Zhongzheng Village (Sinkan), alarming residents, the agency said.

FANCA added that the government has to protect residents in mountainous areas from animal threats to maintain public support for future conservation efforts.

The presence of Formosan black bears in lowlands and settlement areas has become more frequent, while sightings in areas at altitudes below 1,200 meters have also risen significantly over the past five years, according to the agency under Taiwan's Ministry of Agriculture (MOA).

The growth in bear sightings suggests the animal's population has "definitely multiplied" in the last 20 years, and the species is no longer on the brink of extinction, FANCA said.

Under the Wildlife Conservation Act, Formosan black bears are listed as "endangered," meaning their population is "at or below a critical level so that their survival is in jeopardy."