Spectacled bears (Andean bears) face mounting pressure from deforestation and human conflict. Their welfare is tied to the survival of Andean cloud forests across South America.
Wild spectacled bear welfare is most threatened by habitat fragmentation that forces bears into agricultural areas where they face persecution. As bears travel between forest patches they encounter livestock, leading to predation incidents that trigger retaliatory killing. Crop raiding of maize and sugar cane increases conflict with subsistence farmers. Conservation programs combining community engagement, livestock protection support, and compensation schemes for verified bear damage significantly reduce retaliatory killing. Corridor creation between forest patches allows safe movement and reduces the frequency of dangerous human-bear encounters.