Endangered storks face peril in Taiwan: typhoon damages nest, but new chicks hatch

Two Oriental White Stork chicks have hatched on a cooling tower within the Mailiao Sixth Naphtha Cracker complex in Yunlin, Taiwan, but their nest faces imminent danger after being partially destroyed by a recent typhoon. This new development follows the successful breeding of storks earlier this year in Erlun, which marked a global record for the lowest latitude breeding of the species.

The earlier brood, named 'Da Bao' and 'Xiao Bao', hatched on a high-voltage tower near the Zhuoshui River. While these two young storks are reportedly growing and foraging, their situation is also marked by tragedy, as a third sibling died in June after colliding with a wind turbine. The surviving chicks are still learning to forage effectively, with parents occasionally feeding them.

Conservationists have been actively involved, with the former nest on the high-voltage tower being relocated and temporarily placed at the Yubao Palace in Lunbei. Discussions are underway with local authorities and companies to establish new nesting platforms in areas where Oriental White Storks have been observed. Professor Sun Yuan-hsun from Pingtung University of Science and Technology is expected to help set up a new perch near the palace, and the palace chairman has offered land for this purpose.

The situation at the Mailiao complex is particularly urgent. The two chicks there are estimated to be around 40 days old and are learning to fly. However, the recent typhoon significantly damaged their nest, leaving them in a precarious state. The Formosa Plastics Group's Mailiao management department is being asked to monitor the storks' condition closely to ensure their safety and facilitate conservation efforts.

The Forestry and Conservation Agency's Nantou branch stated that the extent of the nest damage and the chicks' condition require further confirmation. They are prepared to coordinate professional assistance if any injured or stranded chicks are found within the Mailiao management area, highlighting the ongoing commitment to protecting this endangered species.