TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Taiwan Black Bear Education Center (台灣黑熊教育館) in Hualien County has sparked a buying frenzy with its "Scat Keychain," a novelty item resembling bear droppings. The product, located at the center's Yuli Township facility in eastern Taiwan, features realistic undigested acorns and seeds. It has gone viral on social media due to its unique design and environmental conservation message, drawing widespread public interest and attention across Taiwan.
The center uses the product to educate the public about field research and the Taiwan black bear's role as a "seed disperser" in the ecosystem. Researchers have found that over 70% of the bear's diet consists of plant-based foods, such as berries and acorns. The bears' wide-ranging movements allow them to disperse seeds over long distances, highlighting their ecological importance to Taiwan's forests.
The keychain's popularity has soared on the social media platform Threads, triggering a buying surge that has depleted the center's stock of the novelty items. The center humorously announced that its inventory is experiencing a "constipation" situation due to overwhelming demand from eager customers. Despite the product's handmade nature, the center is working diligently to restock and currently has limited inventory available for purchase on-site at the Hualien facility.
Eager buyers who missed out have taken to social media, posting comments including "Take my money, poop faster," "Wishing you smooth pooping," and "It's my first time wanting to see poop." The center's innovative approach to environmental education continues to inspire the public, highlighting the importance of wildlife conservation in Taiwan. ◼