Successful rehabilitation and release of two severely injured Formosan black bears (Ursus thibetanus formosanus) with desensitization to routine treatment procedures
Abstract Background Wildlife rehabilitation is crucial for the recovery of injured endangered species; however, this process can induce significant stress, potentially leading to secondary injuries and complications. This case report details the rehabilitation of two severely injured Formosan black...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2025-05-01
|
| Series: | BMC Veterinary Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-04780-2 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850278214917685248 |
|---|---|
| author | Ai-Mei Chang Chen-Chih Chen Yun-Chieh Tuan Lee-Shuan Lin |
| author_facet | Ai-Mei Chang Chen-Chih Chen Yun-Chieh Tuan Lee-Shuan Lin |
| author_sort | Ai-Mei Chang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Wildlife rehabilitation is crucial for the recovery of injured endangered species; however, this process can induce significant stress, potentially leading to secondary injuries and complications. This case report details the rehabilitation of two severely injured Formosan black bears (Ursus thibetanus formosanus) with desensitization techniques as an alternative approach to reducing stress while promoting voluntary cooperation during treatment. Case presentation Patient 1 was an adult female bear with injuries, including the loss of the second, third and fourth phalanges of the left forelimb and extensive necrosis of the right palm. Patient 2 was a subadult male suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, severe necrosis of the distal part of the right wrist, and a fracture of the right mandibular ramus and left humerus. Both bears underwent desensitization training, which fostered calmness during routine procedures and facilitated smooth recovery throughout rehabilitation. Pre-release training focused on rebuilding physical capacity and developing natural behaviors, as well as human avoidance, to increase survival and reduce human-bear conflicts. Conclusions The successful outcomes, characterized by complete recovery and avoidance of human interactions, underscore the effectiveness of desensitization strategies in wildlife rehabilitation. This approach not only enhances the quality of medical care but also mitigates the risks of post-release conflicts, contributing to the conservation of endangered species. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ae8fb1bcdcee47e6b107ea8efe3f5f9e |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1746-6148 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Veterinary Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-ae8fb1bcdcee47e6b107ea8efe3f5f9e2025-08-20T01:49:35ZengBMCBMC Veterinary Research1746-61482025-05-012111710.1186/s12917-025-04780-2Successful rehabilitation and release of two severely injured Formosan black bears (Ursus thibetanus formosanus) with desensitization to routine treatment proceduresAi-Mei Chang0Chen-Chih Chen1Yun-Chieh Tuan2Lee-Shuan Lin3Institute of Wildlife Conservation, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and TechnologyInstitute of Wildlife Conservation, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and TechnologyGraduate Institute of Veterinary Clinical Science, National Taiwan UniversityDepartment of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and TechnologyAbstract Background Wildlife rehabilitation is crucial for the recovery of injured endangered species; however, this process can induce significant stress, potentially leading to secondary injuries and complications. This case report details the rehabilitation of two severely injured Formosan black bears (Ursus thibetanus formosanus) with desensitization techniques as an alternative approach to reducing stress while promoting voluntary cooperation during treatment. Case presentation Patient 1 was an adult female bear with injuries, including the loss of the second, third and fourth phalanges of the left forelimb and extensive necrosis of the right palm. Patient 2 was a subadult male suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, severe necrosis of the distal part of the right wrist, and a fracture of the right mandibular ramus and left humerus. Both bears underwent desensitization training, which fostered calmness during routine procedures and facilitated smooth recovery throughout rehabilitation. Pre-release training focused on rebuilding physical capacity and developing natural behaviors, as well as human avoidance, to increase survival and reduce human-bear conflicts. Conclusions The successful outcomes, characterized by complete recovery and avoidance of human interactions, underscore the effectiveness of desensitization strategies in wildlife rehabilitation. This approach not only enhances the quality of medical care but also mitigates the risks of post-release conflicts, contributing to the conservation of endangered species.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-04780-2Desensitization techniquesFormosan black bearsWildlife rehabilitation |
| spellingShingle | Ai-Mei Chang Chen-Chih Chen Yun-Chieh Tuan Lee-Shuan Lin Successful rehabilitation and release of two severely injured Formosan black bears (Ursus thibetanus formosanus) with desensitization to routine treatment procedures BMC Veterinary Research Desensitization techniques Formosan black bears Wildlife rehabilitation |
| title | Successful rehabilitation and release of two severely injured Formosan black bears (Ursus thibetanus formosanus) with desensitization to routine treatment procedures |
| title_full | Successful rehabilitation and release of two severely injured Formosan black bears (Ursus thibetanus formosanus) with desensitization to routine treatment procedures |
| title_fullStr | Successful rehabilitation and release of two severely injured Formosan black bears (Ursus thibetanus formosanus) with desensitization to routine treatment procedures |
| title_full_unstemmed | Successful rehabilitation and release of two severely injured Formosan black bears (Ursus thibetanus formosanus) with desensitization to routine treatment procedures |
| title_short | Successful rehabilitation and release of two severely injured Formosan black bears (Ursus thibetanus formosanus) with desensitization to routine treatment procedures |
| title_sort | successful rehabilitation and release of two severely injured formosan black bears ursus thibetanus formosanus with desensitization to routine treatment procedures |
| topic | Desensitization techniques Formosan black bears Wildlife rehabilitation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-04780-2 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT aimeichang successfulrehabilitationandreleaseoftwoseverelyinjuredformosanblackbearsursusthibetanusformosanuswithdesensitizationtoroutinetreatmentprocedures AT chenchihchen successfulrehabilitationandreleaseoftwoseverelyinjuredformosanblackbearsursusthibetanusformosanuswithdesensitizationtoroutinetreatmentprocedures AT yunchiehtuan successfulrehabilitationandreleaseoftwoseverelyinjuredformosanblackbearsursusthibetanusformosanuswithdesensitizationtoroutinetreatmentprocedures AT leeshuanlin successfulrehabilitationandreleaseoftwoseverelyinjuredformosanblackbearsursusthibetanusformosanuswithdesensitizationtoroutinetreatmentprocedures |