Taipei, Taiwan — The 2024 Walk for Wildlife will take place in Taipei this Sunday, aiming to raise awareness of Taiwan’s growing wildlife conservation challenges, particularly related to the increasing number of stray animals. Organized by Taiwan Walk for Wildlife (TWW), the event seeks to draw attention to the environmental threat posed by both stray dogs and cats and to promote stronger management measures for protecting Taiwan’s endangered species.
Wu Yi-ta (吳奕達), the general coordinator of the march, stated in a press conference on Friday that the event would focus on urging the public to help curb the issue of stray animals, particularly in sensitive ecological hotspots. The march is designed to highlight the critical role that responsible pet ownership and effective stray animal management play in maintaining ecological balance and protecting wildlife.
Stray Animals: A Growing Threat to Taiwan’s Wildlife
One of the key concerns driving the 2024 march is the rising number of stray dogs and cats across Taiwan. Despite government investments of over NT$300 million (US$9.32 million) in recent years to manage stray animal populations, the problem continues to grow. According to the latest data, Taiwan had 159,697 stray dogs recorded in 2022, a significant increase from previous years.
“While the government has invested in managing the issue, the problem persists, and stray animals are creating a major ecological imbalance,” said Wu Yi-ta. He pointed out that stray animals, particularly cats and dogs, pose a direct threat to native wildlife, including endangered species that rely on Taiwan’s delicate ecosystems for survival.
Wu highlighted the leopard cat as one example, revealing that approximately 25% of leopard cats released into the wild die as a result of attacks from stray dogs. The ecological damage caused by stray animals is substantial, as they often disrupt the habitats of native species and contribute to the decline of wildlife populations in sensitive areas.
Raising Public Awareness Through Education and Advocacy
In addition to the march, TWW hopes to promote greater awareness about the impact of stray animals on Taiwan’s environment. Lee Tsung-chen (李宗宸), founder of TWW, emphasized the importance of including the issue of invasive species, particularly domestic animals, in Taiwan’s school curricula.
“Since 2022, domestic dogs and cats have been classified as invasive species in Taiwan, yet this topic is rarely discussed in textbooks or public education materials,” Lee explained. By integrating these issues into school lessons, TWW hopes to foster a deeper understanding of how abandoned pets can harm Taiwan’s ecosystems.
Lee added that the long-term goal is to educate the public on the importance of responsible pet ownership to prevent the abandonment of pets and reduce the number of animals released into the wild.
A Larger, More Impactful March in 2024
Building on the success of last year’s march, which attracted around 4,000 participants, TWW anticipates a larger turnout this year due to increasing public attention on wildlife conservation issues. The 2024 march will feature several activities in addition to the walk itself, including a conservation-themed market, exhibitions, and talks. These events will be held outside the Legislative Yuan throughout the afternoon.
Wu Yi-ta expressed hope that this year’s march would make an even greater impact than the previous year, especially in terms of shifting public attitudes towards wildlife conservation and the management of stray animals. While the Ministry of Agriculture responded to last year’s march by launching a pilot project to protect leopard cats through the relocation of stray dogs, the program’s results were disappointing, leading TWW to advocate for more robust and lasting solutions.
Event Details
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Date | Sunday, [Insert Date] |
| Time | 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. |
| Starting Location | Outside the Legislative Yuan, Taipei |
| Activities | March, Conservation Market, Exhibitions, Talks |
| Theme | Stray Animal Management and Wildlife Conservation |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the Walk for Wildlife march?
The Walk for Wildlife is an annual event aimed at raising awareness about Taiwan’s wildlife conservation challenges, particularly the impact of stray animals on ecosystems. It encourages public action to safeguard Taiwan’s wildlife and promotes responsible pet ownership.
2. How does the increasing number of stray animals affect Taiwan’s wildlife?
Stray dogs and cats are a significant threat to Taiwan’s native wildlife, especially endangered species such as the leopard cat. Stray animals disrupt ecosystems and often attack native wildlife, leading to a decline in animal populations in ecological hotspots.
3. What actions has the government taken to manage stray animals?
The government has invested over NT$300 million in initiatives to manage and reduce stray animals. However, data shows that the number of stray dogs continues to rise, and efforts need to be intensified.
4. What is the significance of the march this year?
This year’s march is expected to attract more participants than the previous year, as the public is increasingly concerned about the effects of invasive species like stray dogs and cats on Taiwan’s ecosystems. The event will also feature educational activities to raise awareness.
5. How can the public get involved in the march?
The public can participate by joining the march on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. outside the Legislative Yuan. The event will also include a conservation market, exhibitions, and talks focused on the importance of wildlife protection and stray animal management.
