Formosan black bear（Ursus thibetanus formosanus）is the only endemic bear species in Taiwan. Threnten by habitat destruction and various disturbance of human activity, most of the bear population were confined in remote mountain area far from development. Yushan National Park(YNP) is the only known Formosan black bear high population density benchmark in Taiwan. Besides of continuous long-term research and investigation, successful bear conservation also relied on properly management strategies of authority and public support. The content of this project includes (1) Formosan black bear capture and satellite tracking study include activity range and habitat utilization analysis; (2) Establish citizen science camera traps monitoring program of Formosan nlack near and sympatric nedium-sized and large ammals; (3) Build up bear reporting database; (4) Promotion and education of bear conservation; (5) Enhacement of bear management capacity.
Six male Formosan black bears were captured and released with satellite tracking colar. Morphological measuremint, health examination and genetic analysis were performed meanwhile. The observed home range area measured by minimum convex polygon (100% MCP) ranged form 21.5km2 to 114.2km2. 50% Kernel density estimation (KDE) area ranged from 0.03km2 to 10.6km2 and 95% KDE area ranged from 6.6km2 to 30.6km2 . In habitat selection analysis, bears captured at Warami trail (Eastern park) mainly roamed at intermediate and low altitude areas, which is significantly lower than bears captured at Nanxi forest road (Western park). In Warami Trail bears utilized board-leaf forest (82.9%) mainly. In the other side bears of Nanxi ultilized coniferous forest (31.4%) and board-leaf forest (31.0%) both, followed by mixed forest (17.1%).
During Oct 2019 to Oct 2021, 34 volunteer took part in 10 field study missions, overall attendance were 152 people and effort were 261 person-days. 288,519 photos were collected and further filtered into 18,460 independent photos and species of each independent photo were identified. Gradual improvement of correct identification of species by volunteers were noted during the study and the maximum of correct rate was 94.5%. Apparently there is a potential for citizen science camera trap monitoring project. Study area of the camera trap program focused at eastern area of YNP and trap sites distributed along provincial road No. 30 and portion of eastern part of Batongguan traversing trail. 79 independent photos of black bear were recorded include four mother bear with cubs during the study. The occurrence index of black bear of the first and second year of study were 0.2 and 0.4, respectively. Formosan Reeve's muntjac(Muntiacus reevesi micrurus), Formosan macaque(Macaca cyclopis) and Formosan sambar deer(Rusa unicolor swinhoei) were the first three common recorded species.
During 2017-2021 there were 70 black bear cases recorded include sighting(n=23), finding of bear signs(n=21), camera trap records from other projects(n=11) and rescue(n=5) or mortality(n=3) cases. 38 records of sighting and sign were provided by civilian included 29 came from Black Bear Reporting Plateform of Taiwan Black Bear Conservation Association. We suggest that authority encourage public to report sighting of bears continuousely which would further benefit bear management and conservation.
In regard to promotion of conservation education to different stackholders, we held 5 public speeches about bear ecology and conservation including 4 on-lined, 3 speeches focusing on bear behavior and coexistence in community near bear habitat, 4 trainging lectures for staffs of related authority and 2 outdoor tour guide.
For enhancing capacity of management and conservation of Yushan National Park, we held a workshop of "Formosan Black Bear Conservation Education and Management" in 2019. Relevant authorities, experts, scholars, and senior volunteers of YNP together took stock of the pros and cons of management performance of the past few years in Yushan National Park based on the Taiwan Black Bear Conservation Action Plan (2012). Goals and action strategies of bear conservation were set up in follow-up core working group meeting in Yushan National Park. Part of the content will be included in the fourth overall review plan of Yushan National Park as an important management policy.