Monkeys Return to Taroko Park as Tourists Rebound; Indoor Dining Introduced

Taiwan macaques are once again approaching visitors in Taroko National Park's Tianxiang recreation area, a behavior that had diminished when tourist numbers dropped after the April 3 earthquake. Visitor numbers have since rebounded, exceeding 600,000 in the first half of the year.

The park management is implementing new measures to mitigate human-monkey conflicts. The Zhongheng Story Hall, formerly a convenience store, has been renovated and opened as an indoor dining space. This aims to reduce opportunities for monkeys to snatch food from visitors eating outdoors. The park is also deploying a wildlife monitoring and broadcasting system to deter and record instances of illegal feeding.

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The monkeys have returned because there are more visitors. We are guiding visitors to eat indoors at the Zhongheng Story Hall to prevent conflicts.

Educational initiatives are underway, including training for guides and staff on the impact of human feeding on macaque behavior and ecology. The park emphasizes that Taiwan macaques are important seed dispersers and that their habituation to human food has led to conflicts. While some monkeys were relocated in previous years, around 30 remain in the Tianxiang area. Park officials urge visitors to keep food hidden, close car doors and windows, and utilize the indoor dining facilities to encourage the monkeys' natural foraging behaviors and foster coexistence.

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Food should not be exposed, paper bags and plastic bags should not be carried, and car doors and windows should be closed.