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🇹🇼 Taiwan /Environment & Climate

Taiwanese Fruit Bats Breed Successfully in Hualien; Protected Forest Named

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Hualien, Taiwan, is celebrating the successful breeding of four Taiwanese fruit bat mother-pup pairs in its protected forest area.
  • The Meilun Mountain protected forest, the first in Hualien, has been officially named through a public vote.
  • An event was held to promote the forest's ecological function and the conservation of the Taiwanese fruit bat population, which has grown significantly.

The Taiwanese fruit bat population in Hualien, Taiwan, is thriving, with four mother-pup pairs recorded this year in the Meilun Mountain protected forest. This marks a significant success for conservation efforts in the region.

The Meilun Mountain area, designated as protected forest number 2601, has been officially named following a public vote. "Meilun Mountain" received the highest number of votes, surpassing its old name "Mih Lun Mountain" and "Ba Luo Mountain," which has a Sakizaya indigenous meaning.

Meilun Mountain not only offers beautiful scenery but also serves as a habitat for the Taiwanese fruit bat.

— Huang Qun-ceDirector of the Hualien Forest District Office, explaining the significance of the protected forest.

Forestry Administration officials highlighted the ecological importance of the protected forest, which serves as a habitat for the Taiwanese fruit bat. Research indicates that these bats, capable of flying up to 70 kilometers daily, have established a stable breeding population in Hualien. Recent estimates suggest the population has grown from about 50 individuals three years ago to between 120 and 150.

To celebrate and raise awareness, the Hualien Forest District Office organized a book fair and cultural event at the Pacific Park's South Bin section. The event featured independent bookstores and cultural and creative businesses from across Taiwan. It aimed to educate the public about the functions of protected forests and share the story of the Taiwanese fruit bat, emphasizing their successful breeding and population growth.

The mother bats, each fitted with a transmitter, were recorded giving birth and raising their young.

— Volunteer Zhong Xiu-chouDescribing the observation of breeding Taiwanese fruit bats.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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