Research Achievements
(1) Establishment of the ecological data of wild animals in Taiwan
Since 1992, TBRI has conducted surveys for wild animals in Taiwan, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, freshwater fishes, butterflies, dragonflies, spiders, snails, and earthworms, accumulating 250,000 entries of ecological survey data. Furthermore, we preserved 40,000 pieces of wet and dry wild animal specimens, which we make available for academic research, taxonomic comparison, and ecological education.
(2) Promote the general survey of wild animals with Citizen Science
TBRI proactively encourages participation from volunteers, who conduct a wide array of long-term species data collection as citizen scientists. Ongoing programs include the Taiwan Breeding Bird Survey (BBS Taiwan, covering the Formosan Rock-Monkey, Macaca cyclopis), Taiwan Roadkill Observation Network, Taiwan Spider Club, and Taiwan Land Snail Garden. These monitoring results enhance the baseline data of biodiversity in Taiwan, providing essential data that can offer preliminary ecological information from the small scale of engineering constructions to the large scale of the overall environmental changes in Taiwan. Also, with volunteer participation, we can improve the ecological knowledge and literacy of the citizens, which can further help promote biodiversity conservation in Taiwan.
(3) Publish the Red List of Taiwan Terrestrial Vertebrates
In 2017, TBRI collaborated with the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency on the first Red List of Taiwan Terrestrial Vertebrates with Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu areas as scale. To respond to the rapid changes in the natural habitats, TBRI plans to complete the updated version of the Red List of Taiwan Terrestrial Vertebrates in 2024, which will cover terrestrial mammals, amphibians, terrestrial reptiles, freshwater fishes, and birds.
(4) Implement conservation actions for endangered species
For the conservation of endangered wild animals in Taiwan, TBRI collaborated with the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency in 2017 to inventory endangered wild animals, draft conservation strategies, and gradually implement conservation actions. So far, we have completed conservation action plans for 21 endangered wild animals, building a critical foundation for the promotion of conservation actions for endangered wild animals in Taiwan, including Ryukyu Flying Fox (Pteropus dasymallus formosus), European Otter (Lutra lutra), Leopard Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis), Formosan Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla pentadactyla), Mountain Hawk-Eagle (Nisaetus nipalensis), Eastern Grass Owl (Tyto longimembris pithecops), Russet Sparrow (Passer cinnamomeus), Okinawa Frog (Nidirana okinavana), Taiwan Salamander (Hynobius formosanus), Hynobius fucus, Hynobius glacialis, Sonan's Salamander (Hynobius sonani), Arisan Salamander (Hynobius arisanensis), Miyajima Keelback (Hebius miyajimae), Yellow-margined Box Turtle (Cuora flavomarginata), Chinese Pond Turtle (Mauremys mutica mutica), Squalidus banarescui, Squalidus iijimae, Sasakia charonda formosana, Mountain Swallowtail (Papilio maraho), and Troides magellanus sonani.
(5) Wildlife rescue and treatment research and promotion of life education
a. The TBRI Wildlife Rescue and Research Center was established on December 22, 1993, as the first dedicated wildlife rescue organization in Taiwan when the concept of wildlife rescue was still in its early development days. On July 2, 2018, the Center moved into the newly built wildlife rescue building, complete with an ICU, hyperbaric oxygen therapy chamber, animal endoscope system, laser therapy machine, and various wards explicitly designed for different animals. To prepare for reintroduction, we also set up outdoor shelters and restoration training areas, increasing the opportunities for wild animals to be cured and reintroduced to the mountains.
b. The Wildlife Rescue and Research Center accepts injured native wildlife from citizens, civil society organizations, and government organizations daily, rescuing over 700 animals annually and providing extended shelter to over 1,000 protected wild animals. All medically treated wild animals have detailed registration of information, including species, sex, age, type of injury or sickness, where found, the date, and the kind of medical treatment received. The data provides medical research and recommendations for ecology and environment conservation.
c. The Wildlife Rescue and Research Center provides emergency treatment, care, and reintroduction training for wild animals, as well as adequate activity rooms and venues for display. We promote life education with animal ambassadors trained by specialists while proactively working with religious groups and enterprises to campaign wildlife reintroduction and conservation programs jointly. The Center is currently the most essential base for wildlife conservation in Taiwan.
(6) Taxonomy and Research of Invertebrates
In the taxonomic studies of annelid earthworms, TBRI has published 59 new species, three new subspecies, and 15 newly recorded species. The checklist of earthworms from Taiwan, Orchid Island, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu includes 120 species, of which 69 species and subspecies are endemic, demonstrating the rich diversity of the earthworm fauna in Taiwan. Furthermore, four new species and 11 newly recorded species were published in the spider diversity research, establishing 610 species in the List of Spiders in Taiwan with 141 endemic species. Much ongoing research will uncover the diversity of spiders in Taiwan.
(7) Prevention and control of alien species
Since the first appearance of the Cane Toad (Rhinella marina; one of the top 100 alien species) in the Caotun Township in November 2021, TBRI has proactively participated in the removal of such species, providing a concentrated shelter for cane toads caught by researchers and volunteers. These captured individuals were, in turn, provided to schools of various education levels for research or animal dissection courses, fulfilling the life value of alien species. Meanwhile, we take part in meetings of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency on amendments to relevant regulations, hoping to remove the species altogether and relieve the threat of cane toads to the natural ecology in Taiwan.
(8) Assist in Suhua Highway improvement construction and plan measures that are friendly to wild animals
In the Provincial Highway 9 Suhua Highway Mountain Section Improvement Project and Indicator Biological Research Plan during the Construction and Operation Phase, TBRI assisted the Suhua Improvement Engineering Office in surveying ecological resources, building a friendly environment for ecology, and providing concrete improvement measures. This effort is an ecological conservation example for the environmental impact assessment of significant transportation constructions.
Formosan black bear( Ursus thibetanus formosanus )(by Yang Chien-Chung)
Breeding experiment on captive Formosan black bears( Ursus thibetanus formosanus )(by Ho Tung-Chi)
Leopard cat(Prionailarus bengalensis bengalensis)(by Liu Jian-Nan)
Fairy pitta(Pitta nympha)(by Huang Siou-Jhen)
Black-faced spoonbill( Platalea minor )(by Huang Siou-Jhen)
Green pond frog, Golden-lined frog(Rana plancyi)(by Chen Wan-Ting)
Red-headed tit, Black-throated tit(Aegithalos concinnus concinnus(Gould))(by Huang Shu-Fen)