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Protection of gray-faced buzzards is improving

A task force comprising official and private organizations yesterday announced preliminary success in their efforts to reduce hunting and preserve gray-faced buzzard colonies.

"After one year of intensive work, we have managed to substantially reduce illegal hunting of the birds," Taiwan Solidarity Union legislative caucus whip Chen Yin-ho (陳銀河) told a press conference.

Chen said that the task force's goal "is to educate Taiwanese to cherish our annual migrating visitors and make Taiwan the best place for gray-faced buzzard eco-tourism."

The task force, convened by Chen, involves several governmental and private agencies, such as the Kenting National Park Administration Office, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Education, Pingtung County's Manjhou Township (滿州), the Raptor Research Group of Taiwan (RRGT) and the Environmental Ethics Foundation of Taiwan.

The gray-faced buzzard is an Asian medium-sized raptor, RRGT secretary-general Lin Wen-horn (林文宏) said, adding that no more than 100,000 exist.

In summer, the birds reside in northern countries and areas such as Japan, Siberia, northeastern China and Korea, and in winter migrate to the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia, he said.

During the crossing, Taiwan hosts the largest colony of buzzards because of its geographic location, he said.

"Buzzards from several countries congregate at Pingtung County's Manjhou Township and disperse to different southern destinations; the record was about 36,000 in one year," he said. "However, hundreds each year are illegally hunted [for food] by mostly locals, who sell them to restaurants or individuals."

Majhou Township Secretary-General Yu Tseng-chun (余增春) said the illegal hunting might be linked to the town's poor economy.

"The birds sell for up to NT$1,000, which is not a small incentive for the locals," he said.

The township was the target of criticism from around the country last year after photographs of inhumane hunting practices appeared in the media, Lin said.

"I understand the financial hardship of the local community, but we should not sanction what is illegal," he said.

In the past year both local and central police dispatched patrols to arrest hunters, said Chen Hsin-en (陳幸恩), assistant director of the National Police Agency's public order division.

Lin said that bird-watchers this year have unanimously reported more bird sightings.

The conference yesterday also discussed a proposal to develop local eco-tourism for gray-faced buzzard-watching, which Yu said would be widely welcomed in the township.

"When people come visit Manjhou, they will realize that gray-faced buzzards are not our only assets," Yu said. "The township is also home to several Aboriginal tribes and boasts a rich culture."
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