Oct 2024: 20th Anniversary of Bear Restoration in South Korea
By the year 2000, Asiatic black bears had been virtually exterminated in the Republic of Korea (South Korea), due to heavy poaching for gall bladders. In 2001, a PHVA (Population and Habitat Viability Analysis) workshop was convened by the Seoul Grand Park (zoo), various Korean governmental organizations and universities, and the IUCN SSC Conservation Breeding [now Planning] Specialist Group and Bear Specialist Group, where it was decided to restore a population in Jirisan National Park with yearly augmentation of bears of the subspecies native to the Korean peninsula (Ursus thibetanus ussuricus).
Asiatic black bear released in Jirisan National Park_photo: Korea National Park Service
Over 50 bears were released into this park from 2004 to 2019, primarily 9–10 month-old cubs that had been orphaned in the Russian Far East. With that continual augmentation, combined with natural births of more than 80 bears, the population grew to ~90 bears and expanded geographically. This year (2024) marks the 20th anniversary of this highly successful restoration, the only one of its kind for bears in Asia.
In celebration of this landmark anniversary, the Ministry of Environment and the Korea National Park Service (KNPS) hosted a ceremonial event, attended by various dignitaries, followed by a scientific symposium, during October 30–31, 2024. [See this IUCN Blog] International experts from the Bear Specialist Group were invited. We each gave a formal presentation, participated in a panel discussion, visited the field site and associated labs (for genetic analyses and veterinary care), and provided our opinions about plans for the future. The KNPS is witnessing increasing human–bear conflicts, and these are likely to escalate as the population continues to grow and expand. In particular, it has become difficult to keep up with the electric fencing needed to keep bears out of the many apiaries in the area.
Presenters and attendees of Asiatic Black Bear Restoration Symposium, South Korea, Oct 2024
BSG members at Korea symposium (L to R): Toru Oi, Dave Garshelis, Mei-hsiu Hwang, Lana Ciarniello, Claudio Groff
Presentations were on an immense, crystal clear screen, to celebrate the Korean bear restoration project
Panel discussion finale to Korea symposium
Photographer showing images of restoration project to dignitaries and presenters at the anniversary event in Korea
Invited speakers at formal Symposium dinner
The restoration of this population demonstrates what can be done when a country seriously commits to a conservation effort of this kind, invests adequate resources, and supports a highly capable staff. It is surely a model of conservation that can be followed in other places.
The BSG is grateful for the opportunity to participate, and for the chance to strengthen our connections with the bear biologists in South Korea.
BSG members visiting research center at Jirisan NP, Korea
BSG members with Korean colleagues at Wildlife Medical Center, Jirisan NP, Korea
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Sep 2024: IBA Conference
The Bear Specialist Group participated in the IBA (International Association for Bear Research and Management) Conference in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, 15-20 September, 2024. We held a formal session under the theme: EMPLOYING IUCN’S SPECIES CONSERVATION CYCLE for BEARS: EXAMPLES FROM AROUND THE WORLD.
This included an introduction to the session, which was done via mime acting. This was followed by 6 presentations that provided examples of all 5 components of the “conservation cycle”, from all 4 continents inhabitated by bears.
BSG session presenters at IBA conference, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Aspects of conservation cycle covered in BSG presentations
We held a BSG “Member’s Forum”, which included a presentation on what the BSG has accomplished this quadrennium, so far (since 2021), and reviewed the results of the recent survey of conservation activities by BSG members.
Where BSG members work
BSG members' opinions of conservation effectiveness
BSG members in attendance also got together for a “pizza in the park”, where we held a light-hearted contest. BSG members broke into species groups, based on the main focal species of their work, and had 1 minute to prepare a 30-second argument why their bear is “best”. Impartial judges chose the Andean bear group as making the best pitch.
BSG members enjoying pizza in the park, IBA conference, Edmonton, Alberta, Sep 2024
BSG leaders in attendance met to discuss succession of BSG chair.
BSG Leaders representing all 4 continents with bears met at a local Greek restaurant in Edmonton
Nishith Dharaiya wins IBA President's award
Nishith Dharaiya, Co-chair of the BSG's Sloth Bear Expert Team, won the IBA President's award for his tireless dedication to science-based conservation of bears in India. Unfortunately, Nishith could not attend the conference because those with Indian passports could not get visas to Canada. It's great to see Nishith's unique conservation work recognized internationally.
We also enjoyed a casual walk along the river, providing a nice opportunity to have some lengthy chats (mainly bear-related), with colleagues from around the world.
BSG-led riverwalkers, Edmonton, Alberta, Sep 2024
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May 2024
New downloadable book published by European Association of Zoos and Aquaria, Bear Taxon Advisory Group -- All About Ursidae: Bear Educational Guidelines
This is a comprehensive book, profusely illustrated, covering many aspects of bear biology and conservation, including all 8 species of extant bears as well as some information about extinct bears. It is intended as an educational guide, to help raise awareness about bears.
Primary author: Zsuzsa Petró, Member of Bear Specialist Group, Education Advisor of the EAZA Bear Taxon Advisory Group (TAG), and Head of Education Department / SóstóZoo Hungary.
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Asiatic black bear at Chengdu Bear Rescue Center_D. Garshelis
January 2024
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Job Opportunity with captive bears in China
Bear & Vet Team Director
Animals Asia
Chengdu Bear Rescue Centre, China
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October 2023
How do you conserve a shaggy, not very charismatic bear with an irritable personality? It’s one thing to talk about coexistence in a conceptual sense, but quite another to find ways of doing it. Sloth bears and people do not readily mix – they never have, but expanding human populations and shrinking forest habitats have made the situation significantly worse.
And so World Sloth Bear Day was born in 2022, and celebrated again on October 12, 2023. This day is aimed at increasing awareness about this species, and moving towards changing human behaviors to improve coexistence.
Events in India were led by the WCB Research Foundation and Wildlife SOS:
WCB Research Foundation information packet and video links
World Sloth Bear day, October 12, 2023 -- a time to reflect on improved coexistence with an under-appreciated species.
World Sloth Bear Day included webinars by leading experts in sloth bear ecology and conservation
July 2023: This position has been filled.
Attached below is an announcement for a rare, wonderful opportunity for someone looking to do a bear conservation-related PhD project at a prestigious university with outstanding mentors. The Smithsonian Institution and Sapienza University (Rome, Italy), in collaboration with the BSG, are offering a PhD fellowship to create updated range maps for bears in Asia. The BSG will collect the data, and the PhD student will put it all together. The aim is to create maps based on data that can be archived and updated in a repeatable fashion. Another aim is to identify important corridors and small populations that deserve conservation attention.
This will be a perfect project for someone good at GIS and spatial modeling, with a genuine interest in conservation. We are not aiming to create a model showing where bears might be (i.e., adequate habitat), but rather where bears really are.
The student does not have to be a bear expert (or even possess any specific knowledge of bears). Several BSG members will be collaborating on the project, providing expertise on bear ecology. The student does, though, need to have a good background in GIS and have modeling skills. Also, the student must have an MS degree. Preference will be given to students who are likely to continue working in Asia.
Please circulate this advertisement widely, via email and social media, especially to potential students in Asia.
Deadline for application is June 10.
