Taipei: The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency has launched an operation to capture a Formosan black bear identified as Da qu-ali, spotted limping in Yuli Township. The agency aims to check on the bear’s health, as it was seen wearing an electronic collar.

According to Focus Taiwan, the bear, which was released into the wild last year after being rescued from an injury, has been sighted over the past ten days. The Hualien Branch of the agency confirmed the bear’s identity and its previous release. The current operation intends to prevent any encounters between the bear and local residents. Recent images, taken by a member of the public, show the bear limping and appearing smaller and weaker.

After its release in early December, Da qu-ali returned to its wintering site in the Central Mountain Range for the 2023 winter. However, the bear left the site in early February, moving toward lower mountainous areas. On February 21, Da qu-ali entered a preset electronic fence area, prompting an emergency response operation to track its movements closely.

On March 3, Yuancheng Elementary School teachers reported a black bear on campus on February 27. Satellite positioning confirmed it was Da qu-ali. Analysis of automatic camera images indicated the bear is thinner than at the time of its release, likely weakened after winter and struggling to find food due to its leg injury.

The agency plans to conduct a physical checkup once the bear is captured, to assess whether it can be re-released into the wild.