TAIPEI (TVBS News) — A male Formosan black bear, found injured at a coffee plantation in Zhuoxi, a rural town in eastern Taiwan, was successfully released back into the wild on Tuesday (Nov. 14), after four months of intensive care by the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency (FNCA) of the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA).
The FNCA's Hualien Branch unveiled that the bear, named "Da qu-ali" after a renowned leader of the Bunun indigenous people, signifies the tribe's hope for its successful return to the wild. The bear, which oversees the "Sisui" tribe, symbolizes the indigenous community's aspirations.
In July, Da qu-ali was injured after accidentally triggering a trap at the plantation. He underwent successful surgery to amputate four digits of his front paw and was nursed back to health by the WildOne Wildlife Conservation Association. His recovery, marked by a weight gain to 101 kilograms, deemed him fit for reintegration into his natural habitat.
The release operation, held early in the morning, featured a divine naming ceremony led by tribe chief Ho Cheng-chung, with forest rangers firing gunshots and blowing air horns as Da qu-ali sprinted into the forest.
Following the successful release, the FNCA used the incident to highlight the importance of wildlife conservation. They encouraged local tribe members to participate in national projects for the protection of Formosan black bears and urged residents to help create bear-friendly environments.