Taiwan Today

Conservation work backed by legal protection and academic research is helping protect Taiwan’s wildlife.

A bright afternoon in October is a special day for staffers at the Wildlife Rescue and Research Center (WRRC) under the publicly funded Endemic Species Research Institute (ESRI). Three months earlier, a disoriented female leopard cat was found on a chicken farm in central Taiwan’s Nantou County. Rather than chase the animal away, the farmer called on the WRRC to help. The time has now come to release her back into her natural mountain habitat, a feat only made possible thanks to expert veterinary treatment for an eye infection.

Every year, the WRRC treats more than 500 injured or sick wild animals and nurses them back to full health. About half are released once they are judged capable of surviving on their own, said Chan Fang-tse (詹芳澤), a veterinarian at the center.

Those not released are likely to stay at the facility for the rest of their lives, Chan said, although they try to avoid such an outcome. “Wild animals should be free, so we want to let them go if at all possible.”

Taiwan is home to more than 20,000 species of wildlife, encompassing amphibians, birds, fish, mammals, reptiles and insects, making it a treasure trove for academic research, conservation projects and ecotourism. Many animals, however, are under threat due to habitat loss caused by deforestation, farming, illegal trade, poaching and urban creep.

Chang Shih-wei (張仕緯), chief of the ESRI’s Zoology Division, said an example of Taiwan’s biodiversity is its density of bird species, a consequence of being situated on a primary migration route for the feathered animals. The country’s unique topography also has a role to play; low-, medium- and high-altitude forests, various climatic conditions and 260-plus mountains extending to heights over 3,000 meters provide suitable habitats for a vast array of creatures.

Since its establishment in Nantou in 1992 under the Cabinet-level Council of Agriculture (COA), the ESRI has been at the forefront of efforts to conserve Taiwan’s wildlife and foster a conservation mindset among the public. One of its main tasks is establishing systematic records of endemic and endangered species nationwide and information concerning their behaviors, distributions and populations as well as any potential hazards to their safety.

The institute’s hard work is paying dividends, with results frequently referenced in the government’s policymaking process. “Creating such a database is undoubtedly time consuming, but it’s a vital first step before deciding on conservation targets and research projects,” Chang said.

Protective Measures

Taiwan’s efforts to match international animal welfare practices have followed a three-pronged strategy of establishing dedicated agencies, passing legislation and promoting public-private partnerships.

One of the most critical legislative changes was the Wildlife Conservation Act, which was promulgated in 1989 with the aim of preserving biodiversity and maintaining a balanced ecosystem. Since it came into force, seven amendments have been made to impose even stricter regulatory controls and heavier penalties including prison terms for the illegal capture, killing or trapping as well as export, import or public display of wild animals and their products.

The law currently safeguards 177 animal species. Among them, 22 are endangered, 100 are categorized as rare and valuable, and 55 are listed as worthy of conservation. To oversee protection efforts, the Conservation Division was established under the COA’s Forestry Bureau in 2005.

Safe areas in Taiwan in which fishing, hunting, logging and other activities that involve ecological disruption are prohibited include six forest reserves, 10 national parks, 22 nature reserves, 37 major wildlife habitats and 20 wildlife refuges. They are designated by local governments, the COA and Ministry of the Interior based on the Cultural Heritage Preservation Act, Forestry Act, National Park Law and Wildlife Conservation Act, accounting for about 20 percent of the country’s total land area.

“Habitat designation, protection and management are vital to maintaining biodiversity and central to our efforts,” said Shia Jung-sheng (夏榮生), former director of the Conservation Division. Stabilizing or increasing populations of threatened and rare species such as the black-faced spoonbill, Chinese crested tern, Formosan black bear and landlocked salmon evince that conservation measures are having a positive impact, she added.

To better protect the country’s natural resources, the government instigated the Taiwan Ecological Network project last year. This four-year plan involves cooperation between different public agencies as well as central and local governments and seeks to expand the range of protected areas to encompass from the central mountain ranges down to coastal areas.

“We want to create a diverse, connected ecological network that avoids having only isolated spaces for animal conservation,” Shia said. The action plans include conducting comprehensive biological inventories, identifying biodiversity hotspots for conservation priorities and building wildlife corridors to support species migrations.

Financial and technical assistance is also on offer to encourage farmers to adopt eco-friendly practices and slash pesticide use. This initiative is in line with global trends toward organic farming, Shia said.

Mobilizing Support

Efforts to promote animal welfare rely heavily on the support of academia and local research institutions such as the Institute of Wildlife Conservation at National Pingtung University of Science and Technology (NPUST) in southern Taiwan. Its activities are focused on medium and large creatures such as the Formosan rock macaque and sika deer as well as birds of prey and turtles.

According to Su Hsiu-hui (蘇秀慧), director of the NPUST institute, demand for well-trained wildlife specialists in Taiwan is growing due to greater emphasis on habitat and species conservation. To meet this need, her school offers a master’s degree program designed to equip students with the various skills required to work in the sector, covering topics such as environmental administration, law enforcement, research and development, public education and outreach and wildlife management.

In addition to helping cultivate talent, the NPUST operates the Pingtung Rescue Center within its campus. Established with funding from the COA, the facility provides veterinary care and shelter for protected animals in need.

Center director Pei Jai-chyi (裴家騏‬) said the number of wild animals seized in raids increased after anti-smuggling measures were implemented in the 1990s. One of the facility’s missions is therefore to help these creatures.

Since opening its doors in 1993, the four-hectare center has cared for more than 6,000 native and exotic animals, including bears, gibbons, orangutans and tigers. “We’re meant to be a temporary shelter before release back into the wild in Taiwan or the country of origin,” Pei said. “But we become a permanent residence for some.”

Understanding the only chance of effecting long-term change requires worldwide cooperation, Pei founded the Wild Animal Rescue Network (WARN) in 2013. The international nongovernmental organization now has more than 30 members in East and Southeast Asia and organizes a range of activities to exchange experiences and information about areas of major concern.

“Effective species conservation requires cross-border cooperation and long-term commitment,” Pei said. “The WARN seeks to combine the efforts of animal welfare groups, law enforcement agencies and rescue and rehabilitation experts to tackle smugglers and poachers and support sustainable, region-wide wildlife protection.”

For NPUST’s Su, such action is essential to guarantee the future of all life on Earth. “Humanity and animals are inextricably linked by the interdependency among the world’s ecosystems,” she said. “Peaceful coexistence is the only realistic and sustainable way forward.” 

Write to Kelly Her at kher@mofa.gov.tw