Hunter and hunted Formosan black bear

mascot of formosan black bear @ yangmingshan national park in taipei, taiwan

formosan black bears (台灣黑熊) , formosan clouded leopards (台灣雲豹) — 2 of powerful land animals on island of taiwan — used roam on ranges , mountains of taiwan. however, while leopard extinct, bear, though endangered, has survived. according research institute of wildlife conservation, national pingtung university of science , technology, may due myths , traditional taboos of taiwanese aborigines.

bunun people call black bears aguman or duman means devil. if bunun hunter s trap accidentally traps bear, has build cottage in mountains , burn body of bear there. has stay in cottage alone away village until millet harvest finished. rukai , paiwan people allowed hunt bears, hunters have pay price of carrying ancient curse in return. rukai people believe hunting bears can result in disease. also, not every 1 allowed eat bear meat, , children strictly forbidden so. in taroko (truku) legend, formosan black bears respectful “kings of forest” white marks on chests represent moon. taroko people believe killing black bears results in family disaster. in general, among these hunting tribes, hunters of boars respected heroes, while hunters of bears considered losers.