NTU is dedicated to protecting Taiwan's endangered species and endemic species of Taiwan, working directly to maintain and extend existing ecosystems and their biodiversity, of both plants and animals, especially ecosystems under threat. The Following are several highlighted projects in recent years.
Plants
1. Arc Project
The NTU Highland Experimental Farm participates in the National Botanical Garden's "Arc Project," aiming to investigate, breed, and cultivate approximately 100 kinds of plants in the Red List of Vascular Plants of Taiwan, including monitoring and conserving the vascular plants in the farm. NTU Highland Experimental Farm also makes tremendous efforts to restore and conserve the Taiwan Pleione, a plant listed by IUCN as Vulnerable (VU).
Taiwan Pleione Impatiens devolii Huang
2. Xia-Ping Tropical Botanic Garden
The Xia-Ping Tropical Botanic Garden (下坪植物園) of NTU Experimental Forest is registered as a member of the Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI). In the Xia-Ping Tropical Botanic Garden, there are more than 500 kinds of plants, including Asian bayberry, Taiwan Incense Cedar, and others listed as protected species in Taiwan.
Animals
1. Formosan Black Bear Catch and Release Project
NTU Veterinary Hospital helped the Yushan National Park Management Office (玉山國家公園管理處) to conduct the “Formosan Black Bear Catch and Release Project“ from 2018 to 2021. NTU works with the National Pingtung University of Science and Technology to identify the geographic distribution of the Formosa Black Bears and monitor their individual health condition. The Formosa Bear has been listed by IUCN as Vulnerable (VU). Through this project, NTU strengthened the conservation and management of wildlife animals, safeguarded the safety of residents and visitors, and reached the goal of conserving Formosa Black Bears sustainably.
2. Wild Animals Injury Treatment & Disease Diagnosis
NTU Veterinary Hospital provides wild animal injury treatment, disease diagnosis, and investigation of the origin of infectious diseases. The animal hospital assists the Yangmingshan National Park Management Office (陽明山國家公園管理處) in conducting risk assessments on animal diseases and injury treatment and disease control. NTU Veterinary Hospital also provides training on Zoonotic Diseases (Disease Transmitted from Animals to Humans) and injury treatment to effectively monitor and manage the health conditions of the wild animals in the park. The Hospital also provides education on infectious diseases to visitors. These actions are documented to serve as future references for wildlife conservation and disease prevention policies.
3. Chinese Crested Tern Conservation
Professor Hsiao-Wei Yuan (袁孝維) of the School of Forestry and Resource Conservation conducted research on the Chinese crested tern at the Matsu Islands’ Tern Refuge. The Chinese crested tern has been listed by IUCN as critically endangered species (CR). Professor Yuan studied the distribution and habits of this species, investigated potential threats against it, and implemented conservation methods according to the research. The relevant reports have been included in the documents of the Endangered Wildlife Conservation Action Conference.
Documentary director Chieh-Te Liang (Left) and Professor Hsiao-Wei Yuan (Right)
