Thu, Apr 03, 2025 page3

• Taiwan News Quick Take

  • Staff Writer, with CNA
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  HEALTH

  Holiday snake advisory

  The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on Tuesday warned people to be cautious of venomous snakes when tomb sweeping outdoors. This year’s four-day Tomb-Sweeping Festival holiday starts today and ends on Sunday. The CDC reminds people to wear long sleeves and pants, shoes that cover the whole foot, and to use a stick to stir grass or bushes to scare away snakes before passing through. If bitten by a snake, people should remain calm, remember the characteristics of the snake, take off accessories, apply a bandage above and around the bite to slow the spread of the venom, and seek medical attention at a hospital as soon as possible, it said.

  ENVIRONMENT

  Bear pair rescued

  A male and female Formosan black bear pair were successfully rescued from snare traps in Taitung County and released back into the wild, the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency said on Tuesday. This marks the first-ever simultaneous rescue of two bears, which occurred at 2pm on Monday when a patrol team from Yanping Township (延平) discovered the animals at the junction of an indigenous reserve and state-owned forest 725m above sea level, the agency said. The male bear weighed 60kg and the female 43kg, the agency said, adding that both animals had their left forelimbs trapped in snares, which were about 10m apart. Fortunately, the bears’ injuries were minor, and after receiving on-site treatment, they were monitored until the anesthesia wore off, it said. Once awake, the bears walked off and safely returned to their natural habitat, the agency said. The rescue represents a significant milestone for the local community, as it is the first time two Formosan black bears have been successfully rescued and returned to the wild at the same time, it said. An indigenous member of the rescue team expressed relief and pride, saying: “We’re happy we did the right thing. We helped our neighbors, the bears, safely return home.” Given the increasing presence of Formosan black bears in lowland and settlement areas, the agency said it would continue to provide improved hunting equipment to local farmers and indigenous people to help manage other wildlife without harming the bears, which are protected.

  TRAVEL

  Visa-free deal extended

  Taiwan and North Macedonia have agreed to extend their bilateral visa-free programs for another five years, from Tuesday until March 31, 2030, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said on Tuesday. Citizens from the two countries can visit each other’s territory without a visa for up to 90 days within any 180-day period, the MOFA said in a statement, adding that information has been updated on the Web sites of Taiwan’s and North Macedonia’s foreign ministries. The arrangement began in 2012. On the Taiwanese side, it still only applies to Taiwanese whose passport contains a national ID card number, according to the MOFA. Having a national ID card number means the passport holder has household registration in Taiwan, which guarantees civil and political rights. Some overseas citizens holding Republic of China (Taiwan) passports do not have household registration in Taiwan. The MOFA reminded nationals traveling to the landlocked country to follow local laws and regulations. For emergency services while in North Macedonia, Taiwanese should call Taiwan’s representative office in Italy in charge of North Macedonia affairs at +39-366-806-6434 or MOFA’s Taipei headquarters 24/7 emergency hotline at 0800-085-095.
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