Through camera traps, authorities have discovered several Asian black bears (Ursus thibetanus) and numerous scratch marks on tree trunks within the Pù Hu Nature Reserve in Thanh Hóa.
On February 8, the management board of the Pù Hu Nature Reserve (Thanh Hóa Province) reported that these Asian black bears were found during the implementation of the task “Assessing the current status and conservation of bear species at Pù Hu Nature Reserve (Phase 2023 – 2025).”
Camera trap records the presence of Asian black bears in Pù Hu Nature Reserve.
The task of the unit is to assess the distribution status, ecological characteristics, diet, habitat, threats, and to develop a management and conservation plan for bear species.
As of now, forest rangers have discovered a population of Asian black bears, including males, females, and cubs, and recorded 39 scratch marks made by bears on tree trunks, as well as five instances of branches with fruit being broken and clustered together by the bears.
Asian black bears were found to have a population consisting of males, females, and cubs.
Mr. Đàm Duy Đông, Deputy Director of the Pù Hu Nature Reserve Management Board, stated that the unit has collaborated with consultants to conduct field investigations, determining the distribution status of bear populations using a method involving 51 transects and deploying 115 camera traps in special-use forests, to confirm the presence or absence of bear species in the reserve.
Additionally, the unit aims to identify behaviors, biological characteristics, diet composition, habitat, environmental threats, and the risk of population decline in bear species; establish a mapping system to record points, routes, and areas where bear species are distributed within the reserve… thereby creating an action plan to find solutions for the conservation of rare bear species, ensuring long-term genetic preservation.
Scratch marks on tree trunks recorded by the forest rangers of Pù Hu Nature Reserve.
| The Asian black bear (scientific name Ursus thibetanus) is a large mammal weighing between 80-180 kg, with a stout body, round ears, and five toes on both the front and hind limbs, walking on its hind feet. The bear’s fur is jet black, with long hair on both sides of the neck forming a mane, a V-shaped chest patch, and a short tail that does not protrude from the fur. The Asian black bear is listed in the World Red List and the Vietnam Red Book 2007, and is only found in pristine forests with minimal human impact. |
Pù Hu Nature Reserve is located across two districts, Quan Hóa and Mường Lát, in Thanh Hóa Province, covering an area of over 24,000 hectares. Pù Hu Nature Reserve boasts a diverse ecosystem, holding significant scientific, socio-economic, and tourism value.
As one of the three major reserves in Thanh Hóa, Pù Hu currently has a rich diversity of flora and fauna, with 915 species, including more than 30 rare animal species listed in Vietnam’s and the world’s red books.
