Black bear encounters with humans are on the rise in Taiwan. In response, the government has rolled out measures including new nationwide guidelines, AI-powered warning systems, and a new online reporting platform for the general public.

Taiwan’s Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency (FANCA) highlighted the measures at a press conference in Taipei on Monday, September 14, where it showed camera footage of one bear rummaging through garbage and eating lunchbox scraps left by people.

Speaking at the press conference, FANCA Director General Lin Hwa-ching (林華慶) said that black bear sightings are being recorded in more places and the population appears to be growing. Recent agency figures estimate there are around 1,200 Formosan black bears nationwide.

“You think black bears live deep in the mountains. In fact, there are black bears active right at the foot of the mountains,” Lin said.

Five years ago, authorities were mainly dealing with bear incursions in the counties of Hualien and Taitung, he said, but cases have now also been recorded in Pingtung, Chiayi, Taichung, and Hsinchu.

Taiwan has had fewer than 100 bear incursions over the past few years, Lin said. Nonetheless, recent agency monitoring has found bears entering farmland, work sheds, and other areas frequented by people.

The new guidelines for frontline personnel and local governments classify encounters as sightings, disturbances, or injuries, with four response levels: recording and tracking, protective monitoring, active deterrence, and capture. AI systems have been deployed at three high-risk locations to alert site managers automatically so action can be taken before people and bears come into contact.

Lin recommended adjusting human behaviors and understanding black bear habits to help both sides avoid harm. The best way to minimize encounters with black bears is to secure food properly, the agency said.