Experts requested members of the public not to release jellyfish into the ponds of Linyuan Ocean Wetland Park (林園海洋溼地公園) in Kaohsiung, since such a practice could introduce invasive species harming the ecosystem of the area.
The wetland park is a popular destination on weekends and holidays, with upside-down jellyfish (倒立水母, Cassiopea andromeda) being a main attraction, Love Our Linyuan Township Residents Association head Chen Chun-chiang (陳俊強) said on Monday last week.
“Some people think it’s a good idea to release more jellyfish during the Lunar New Year holiday. However, releasing different species of jellyfish that are not native causes havoc to the local ecosystem,” Chen said.
Photo: CNA
Releasing of jellyfish is likely to be related to “mercy release,” or fangsheng (放生), a Buddhist practice of releasing animals held captive, he said, adding that modern science showed that such actions have negative aspects on nature such as causing damage to the environment by introducing invasive species and promoting illegal wildlife trade.
Chen said a “big explosion” of the local upside-down jellyfish population is expected next month.
“However, we have found 50 new jellyfish with blue filaments and their bell part has a feint cross-shape mark while their bodies become white during daytime in winter.” he said. “These are obviously not features of native jellyfish, which are light brown.”
The native species is found at the wetland park along with nearby Dingtsuo farmlands (頂厝農地) and ponds in Shanwei (汕尾魚塭), Chen said, adding that another pond in the region was found to hold about 200 upside-down jellyfish which are blue and white, and a different species than the ones at the wetland park.
“When a pond was found to contain a different species in large numbers, the pond got dried up to kill the invasive species, but they reappeared in December last year in large groups,” Chen said.
Kaohsiung Parks Department officials said to prevent human interference and harming the local ecosystem, people are prohibited from releasing animals at the wetland park.
Introducing invasive species poses serious threats to the native species, so the department is to place signs inside the park saying: “Not permitted for wildlife release,” and to have volunteers watching the area, they said.
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