Every year on May 22, the world observes the International Day for Biological Diversity, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of biodiversity and the need to protect it. Yang Shufang, Director of the Animal Protection and Epidemic Prevention Office in New Taipei City, Taiwan, highlighted the city's rich and diverse ecosystems shaped by its vast territory and varied habitats.
However, with ongoing urban development, human living spaces increasingly overlap with wildlife habitats, leading to phenomena of "urbanization" among some wild animals. For example, species such as the masked palm civet and the collared scops owl have been reported appearing inside buildings. In response, the city government not only promotes animal rescue and medical care but also urges the public to adhere to the "Three No's" principle when encountering wildlife: no feeding, no disturbance, and no contact. This approach aims to ensure personal safety and protect the living space of wild animals.
The Animal Protection Office reported that the city rescues about 6,000 wild animals annually. Among these, snake-related cases are the most frequent, totaling approximately 3,330, followed by wild birds with about 1,438 cases. Rescue reports also include rare species such as the collared scops owl, Taiwan blue magpie, Reeves's muntjac, masked palm civet, ferret badger, and pangolin.
Recently, a pangolin rescue was reported where the animal was found with back injuries. After rescue efforts by the office, the pangolin was transferred to Taipei Zoo for care and rehabilitation, and was successfully released back into the wild. The Taiwan blue magpie has also been reported nesting and raising chicks in roadside trees in areas such as Xizhi, Sanxia, and Yingge. Due to their protective behavior, these birds sometimes attack pedestrians. The office advises people passing through these nesting areas to wear hats, use umbrellas, or take detours, and to avoid turning their backs to the birds to prevent surprise attacks.
As the season transitions from late spring to early summer, the Animal Protection Office notes this is the peak period for fledgling birds leaving nests. When encountering young birds, the public should follow the "Stop, Look, Listen" principle: stop walking, observe the situation, and listen for calls from parent birds nearby, rather than immediately removing the chicks.
With the boundaries between urban areas and nature becoming increasingly blurred, the office calls on the public to respect and tolerate wildlife, avoid feeding or disturbing them, and work together to protect biodiversity. For wildlife rescue needs, the public can contact the 24-hour rescue hotline at 2959-6353 or the national animal protection rescue hotline at 1959.
