# Honey Thieves: Human–Bear Conflict Patterns and Residents’ Attitudes in Mountains of Southwest Zhejiang, China

## TL;DR

This study explores human-bear conflicts in Zhejiang, China, focusing on beehive damage and local attitudes, to help reduce tensions and promote coexistence.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into the spatiotemporal patterns and community attitudes toward Asiatic black bear conflicts in Jiulongshan Mountain.

## Key findings

- Human-bear conflicts peaked in spring and winter, primarily in low-activity areas, and exclusively involved beehive damage.
- Over 180 conflicts were reported from 2020 to 2023, causing economic losses exceeding RMB 312,000.
- Beekeepers showed significantly more negative attitudes toward bears compared to other residents.

## Abstract

Conflicts between humans and Asiatic black bears are a growing concern, threatening both wildlife conservation and local livelihoods. This study examined the patterns of human–bear conflicts and the attitudes of residents in Jiulongshan Mountain, Zhejiang Province, China, using infrared cameras and interviews. We found that conflicts were most frequent in spring and winter, and occurred mainly in areas with low human activity. The conflicts exclusively involved damage to beehives, leading to substantial economic losses for local residents. Most residents, especially beekeepers, held negative views of the bears due to these losses. While some residents took measures like relocating beehives or building fences, these efforts were only moderately effective. Our findings highlight the need for better strategies to reduce conflicts, such as providing protective equipment for beehives and educating communities about bear behavior. This research is important for developing solutions that protect both bears and the livelihoods of local residents, promoting peaceful coexistence between human and wildlife.

Human–wildlife conflict represents a critical area of research in biodiversity conservation, as understanding both the nature of these conflicts and the attitudes of local communities is essential for developing effective mitigation strategies. In recent years, conflicts between humans and Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus) have become increasingly prevalent. Focusing on Jiulongshan Mountain and its surrounding areas in Zhejiang Province, this study conducted a comprehensive investigation into the status of human–bear conflicts and the attitudes of local residents from 2020 to 2023. This study utilized infrared camera monitoring and semi-structured interviews to gather data on conflicts and community perceptions. The following observations were made: (1) Nine infrared cameras recorded 10 instances of Asiatic black bears damaging beehives. (2) Between 2020 and 2023, a total of 186 conflicts involving black bear damage to beehives were reported, resulting in economic losses exceeding RMB 312,000. (3) The peak periods for human–bear conflicts occurred in April–May and November–December, with the sites of these conflicts influenced by topography and levels of human disturbance. (4) A total of 61.0% reported a negative attitude toward Asiatic black bears, 11.9% held a positive view, and 27.1% were neutral. Beekeepers, in particular, exhibited significantly more negative attitudes compared to other occupational groups. (5) Among beekeepers, 52.6% reported taking measures to mitigate losses, such as relocating their hives, building fences, or installing alarms. This study provides a detailed examination of the current state and spatiotemporal patterns of human–bear conflicts in the Jiulongshan Mountain and its surrounding regions. It also offers valuable insights into local residents’ attitudes toward Asiatic black bears, thereby contributing to the development of informed conservation strategies and human–bear conflict mitigation efforts.