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  4. An Interview with Teacher Mei-Hsiu Hwang: A Black Bear Researcher’s Ideal National Park

An Interview with Teacher Mei-Hsiu Hwang: A Black Bear Researcher’s Ideal National Park

For the first-time, foreign visitors to Taiwan would immediately notice images of the Formosan black bear (Ursus thibetanus formosanus) and build associative impressions connecting with the animal within short periods of time. Formosan black bears are seen as a star species and a symbolic representative of Taiwan. Their ubiquitous image in public, compared with other species, may be embedded with conservation advantages on one hand and can potently denote a gap between the public’s perception and its current conservation status. That means the general public may come under the false impression that the black bear conservation is already a success and they need not worry about its current state of survival.

In fact, the number of existing Formosan black bears that live in the wilderness is estimated to be around 200 to 600. For large-sized carnivores to survive in a natural environment, we need a minimum of 2000 mature individuals to reach sustainability. Currently the actual number falls far behind the sustainability target. Each year the justified number of deaths is less than 20. The conditions for the survival of the entire species are precarious, to say the least.

alt-An Interview with Teacher Mei-Hsiu Hwang: A Black Bear Researcher’s Ideal National Park-1
the number of existing Formosan black bears
that live in the wilderness is estimated
to be around 200 to 600.
professor Mei-Hsiu Hwang dedicated herself into Formosan Black Bears' conservation
Mei-Hsiu Hwang, associate professor and
director of Institute of Wildlife Conservation,
National Pingtung University of Science and Technology
dedicated herself into Formosan Black Bears'conservation

To reach an ideal state of bear-man co-existence and co-prosperity, Mei-Hsiu Hwang, associate professor and director of Institute of Wildlife Conservation, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, spoke in an interview and gave her advice from the stance of a black bear researcher.

First of all, of all protection zones in Taiwan, Yushan National Park is the only significant place with years’ continuous tracking and research of the black bear and with the most abundant investigation data. Mei-Hsiu Hwang appealed to the Yushan National Park Administration that the black bear research must carry on. Yushan National Park can develop towards the ‘The Model of a Bear-Bearing Country’. On a proactive note, in order for the general public to pay more attention to issues of ecological conservation, it is advised to adequately transform results of certain continuous researches, plus environmental education promotion, hands-on visual experiences, guided aesthetics, and upgraded guided talks. Such all-comprehensive planning will convey a compassionate intention of man-bear co-existence and guide the general public to explore relevant information in depth. Once people are touched at heart, they are more willing to take initiatives caring for things/objects they are psychologically connected with.

alt-An Interview with Teacher Mei-Hsiu Hwang: A Black Bear Researcher’s Ideal National Park-2
Mei-Hsiu Hwang believes that once people are touched
at heart, they are more willing to take initiatives caring for
things/objects they are psychologically connected with

To reach the goal of “Bear-Bearing Country”, to organize black bear-friendly communities is indispensable. Formosan Black Bears are protected by law. In doing so, all other species in the other ecological systems can be protected too. If we can rely on concerted efforts of all relevant departments and have national parks, protection zones and their adjacent indigenous tribes in close connection and collaboration, while establishing a comprehensive alerting system and acting collectively as the frontline goalkeeper for the natural ecology, this will spell tremendously good news for Taiwan’s ecological system.

Updated：


Yushan

Yushan

Accommodation in Yushan

Published: 2009-08-12

Please read articles in our website for more information about accommodation in Yushan National Park.
HotelTelFaxAddress
Jian pu Lodge886-5-2679917--
Pai yun Lodge886-5-2679713--
China Youth Corps886-7-6866166886-7-6866167No.55, Meishan Lane, Taoyuan Township, Kaohsiung County 848, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
Sheng Hwa Hotel886-49-2701511~3886-49-2701903No.60,Shen-yi Road, dong-pu village,Nantou county,Taiwan(R.O.C)
Ya Kou Youth Hostel886-7-6866057886-7-6866167No.5 Yakou ,Li-dao village, Hai-ruei Township , Taidong County

Last Updated: 2020-11-20


Travel Guide

Published: 2009-08-12

【Tataka High Mountain Ecotourism】

Climbing Yushan Main Peak
Day 1: Starting Point → Alishan Forest Recreation Area、Dongpu Hot Spring (lodging)
Day 2: Alishan Forest Recreation Area、Dongpu Hot Spring → Tataka pass entry (1.7K) → Menglu Pavillion (1K) → pass entry of Yushan Front Peak (2.3K) →Forest of White Wood (1.7K) → Great Cliff (1.8K) → Paiyun Lodge (lodging)
Day 3: Paiyun Lodge (2.4K) → Yushan Main Peak (10.9K) →Tataka pass entry→ Return
Yushan Main Peak to Batongguan Hiking Tour
Day 1: Starting Point → Alishan Forest Recreation Area (lodging)
Day 2: Tataka pass entry (8.5 K) → Paiyun Lodge (lodging)
Day 3: Paiyun Lodge (2.4 K) → Yushan Main Peak (1.8 K) → Laonong Campsite (4.2 K) → Batongguan   Ancient Trail (2.8 K) → Guangao Mountain-Climbing Service Station (lodging)
Day 4: Guangao Mountain-Climbing Service Station (14 K) → Dongpu pass entry → Return
Tataka Recreation Area --- Nature Trail Routes
Route 1: Visitor Center (0.1K) → Dongpu Prairie(1.7K) → Tataka Police Station (0.4K) → New Central Cross Island 95K Parking Area (on foot around 12 hours)
Route 2: Visitor Center (1.6K) → Giant Hemlock (0.8K) → Linjhih Gap (0.8K) → Linjhih Mountain (0.8K) → Linjhih Gap (0.8K) → Giant Hemlock (1.4K) → Shangdongpu (on foot around 2.5 hours)
Route 3: Visitor Center (1.6K) → Giant Hemlock (0.8K) → Linjhih Gap (1.2K) → Lulin Mountain (0.7K) → Lulin Lodge   (1.1K) → Lulin Gap → Shangdongpu (on foot around 3 hours, reverse around 4 hours)
Route 4: Visitor Center (1.6K) → Giant Hemlock (0.8K) → trail entrance of Linchushan (2.1K) →Tataka Anbu (1.4K) → Giant Hemlock (1.4K) → Shangdongpu (on foot around 7 hours)

【Jhongjhihguan Ancient Trail, Southern Cross-Island Highway】

Southern Cross-Island Highway Jhongjhihguan Rest Area (30 min) → Jhihguan Police Station (20 min) → Charcoal Kiln (60 min) → Lonely Wood (15 min) →Tianchih (Tian Pond) (10) → Changching Shrine

Nanan-Walami

【Nanan-Walami Trail：Tour for discovering fern ecotype】
Route 1: Trail (0.65 K) → Shanfong (0.25 K) → Shanfong bridge1 (0.8 K) →Shanfong Waterfall → Return (a round trip about 3 hours)
Route 2: Trail (1.7 K) → Shanfong   Waterfall (3.2 K) → Juasin (4.9 K) → Huangma no.1 bridge → Return (a round trip about 8 hours)
Route 3: Trail (9.8 K) → Huangma bridge1 (0.8 K) → Huangma bridge2 (3.4 K) → Walami → Return (a round trip about 12 hours)

Last Updated: 2018-09-19


Visitor Safety

Published: 2009-08-12

Attention for visitors

steep mountain

 

【The must-know for engagement in various activities】
  1. Road conditions in the mountain area are unstable. Falling rocks or landslide could happen easily. Please do not stay or take photographs at dangerous zones where there are falling rocks and landslides.
  2. In the summer afternoons, intermittent rain or dense fog form frequently, whereas in winter, the surface of the road could easily freeze up and becomes slippery. Please drive carefully and reduce speed.
  3. Along the provincial highway, Taiwan rock-monkeys, Mikado Pheasants and Swinhoe’s Pheasant often appear. Drive carefully and please do not feed the animals.
  4. From June to November every year, is the breeding period for killer bees, of when they could be easily terrified and sting on people. Please be cautious.
  5. For mountain hiking, please equip yourself with sufficient mountain hiking equipment and in accordance with the regulations. In addition, getting mountain/park entrance permit ready beforehand is required.
  6. Leaving the team and acting alone, leaving the trail without the knowledge of other members and taking shortcuts are strictly prohibited during mountain hiking. Also, do not linger along the way.
  7. Water resource is scarce in the mountain area. Please conserve on water usage.
  8. Be careful while cooking with fire to avoid the outbreak of fire in the forests.
  9. Please do not litter and bring the garbage downhill.
  10. Please abide stringently on the principle of countryside activities, “Leave nothing but footprints; take nothing but photographs,” in order to protect the environment of the nature, leaving behind a land of purity for later generations.

Last Updated: 2018-09-20


Park Contacts

Published: 2009-08-12

Information of Visitor Center

yushan

 

LocationOpening HoursContact Information
Administration-Tel:886-49-2773121 ext.605/606
Fax:886-49-775466
Shuili Visitor Center-Tel:886-49-348269
Fax:886-49-2773121 ext. 605/606
TatakaVisitor Center09:00am ~ 16:30pm Closed 2nd Tuesdays of the month.  If that Tuesday were a national holiday, it would be postponed to the next day.Tel:886-49-2702200~2
Fax:886-49-702250
NananVisitor Center09:00am ~ 16:30pm Closed 2nd Tuesdays of the month.  If that Tuesday were a national holiday, it would be postponed to the next day.Tel:886-3-8887560
Tel:886-3-8880742
Fax:886-3-8880743
Meishan Visitor Center09:00am ~ 16:30pm Closed 2nd Tuesdays of the month.  If that Tuesday were a national holiday, it would be postponed to the next day.Tel:886-7-6866181~3
Fax:886-7-6866128

Last Updated: 2020-11-20


Map Of The Park

Published: 2009-08-12

map of Yushan

Yushan National Park is located in the Central Mountain Range of Taiwan. Centering around Jade Mountain Main Peak, the park covers a vast area of over 105,000 hectares spread out over the four counties of Nantou, Chiayi, Kaohsiung and Hualien. It is a typical subtropical mountainous national park.

Within the park, there are spectacular views of the peaks. The park covers 30 out of Taiwan’s One Hundred Mountains, including Jade Mountain Peaks, Siouguluan Mountain, Mabolasih Mountain, Dafenjian Mountain, Sinkang Mountain, and Guan Mountain. Each mountain has its own particular style; some are magnificently elegant and full of fury, while others display bizarre and marvelous peaks. Naturally formed, such landscapes are extremely beautiful. The park also includes the origin of the hydro system for the central, southern and eastern areas of Taiwan Province, which was closely related with the livelihood of the public at the lower reaches of the river.

Last Updated: 2018-09-19


How To Get There

Published: 2009-08-12

yushan 

Transportations

  1. Highway Administration Information
Highway Administration Information
Shueili AreaProvincial Highway 16(049) 2234181Nantou Branch
New Central Cross-Island HighwayProvincial Highway 21(049) 27915102nd Maintenance Office of Sinyi Branch
Provincial Highway 21 - Syuefong(049) 2702033126K Station of New Central Cross-Island
Alishan HighwayProvincial Highway 18(05) 25924265th Maintenance Office of Alishan Branch
Southern Cross-Island HighwayJiasian- Meishan(07) 7510143rd Maintenance Office of Jiasian Branch
Haiduan- Yakou(089) 8110243rd Maintenance Office of Guanshan Branch
Southlink HighwayTaitung- Dawu(089) 3250733rd Maintenance Office of Taitung Branch
Dawu- Fonggang(08) 87711143rd Maintenance Office of Fonggang Branch
East Coast LineHualien Section(03) 82305704th Maintenance Office of Hualien Branch
Taitung Section(089) 3250733rd Maintenance Office of Taitung Branch

Last Updated: 2018-09-20