<strong>An endangered species: </strong>The Formosan black bear is a large omnivore native to the high, clouded mountains that run down the spine of Taiwan. Illegal hunting and land clearing are pushing the species to the brink of extinction.
An endangered species: The Formosan black bear is a large omnivore native to the high, clouded mountains that run down the spine of Taiwan. Illegal hunting and land clearing are pushing the species to the brink of extinction.
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<strong>Bear tracking: </strong>Formosa bear expert Professor Mei-Hsiu Hwang and her assistant Wan-Ching Lin check camera traps high in the Taiwan mountains in May. "If we cannot protect them, I don't believe we can protect anything else," says Hwang.
Bear tracking: Formosa bear expert Professor Mei-Hsiu Hwang and her assistant Wan-Ching Lin check camera traps high in the Taiwan mountains in May. "If we cannot protect them, I don't believe we can protect anything else," says Hwang.
Ben Westcott/CNN
<strong>A new symbol for Taiwan:</strong> Taipei mascot "Bravo" was on hand to celebrate Taiwan's first same-sex marriages on May 24.
A new symbol for Taiwan: Taipei mascot "Bravo" was on hand to celebrate Taiwan's first same-sex marriages on May 24.
Ben Westcott/CNN
<strong>Proceed with caution: </strong>A sign in Taiwan's Dasyueshan National Park warns hikers and tourists to watch out for bears.
Proceed with caution: A sign in Taiwan's Dasyueshan National Park warns hikers and tourists to watch out for bears.
Ben Westcott/CNN
<strong>Taipei Zoo: </strong>But the only place anyone is likely to see a black bear these days is behind wire and glass. In this photo, a Formosan black bear strolls through his enclosure at the Taipei Zoo.
Taipei Zoo: But the only place anyone is likely to see a black bear these days is behind wire and glass. In this photo, a Formosan black bear strolls through his enclosure at the Taipei Zoo.
Ben Westcott/CNN
<strong>Mountainous Taiwan: </strong>The dense, mountainous forests in eastern Taiwan make up a large part of the bears' native habitat.
Mountainous Taiwan: The dense, mountainous forests in eastern Taiwan make up a large part of the bears' native habitat.
Ben Westcott/CNN