In late February 2015, a botulinum toxin poisoning incident involving black-faced spoonbills occurred near fish ponds in the vicinity of the Tucheng Shuiliuma Temple in Annan District, Tainan City. Staff from the Taijiang National Park Headquarters and volunteers from the Tainan Wild Bird Society actively rescued the affected birds, sending them to Loving Kindness Animal Hospital for emergency treatment, and later transferring them to the Taiwan Biodiversity Research Institute's Wildlife Rescue and Rescue Center in Jiji for further care. Ultimately, six black-faced spoonbills recovered and were successfully released back into the wild on March 24. Notably, a female bird with leg band number T69 not only successfully returned to the offshore area of Zhuanghe City, Liaoning Province, China, in April 2015 to mate and breed, but also consistently flies back every October to forage and overwinter near the Tucheng Shuiliuma Temple fish ponds, demonstrating remarkable site fidelity. It is now estimated that T69 is over 13 years old.

Public-Private Collaboration in Creating Eco-Friendly Habitats: Coexistence of Fisheries Development and Ecological Conservation

T69’s preference for residing in the vicinity of these fish ponds is closely related to the ongoing “Eco-Friendly Habitat Creation Program” promoted by the Taijiang National Park Headquarters. In recent years, the Taijiang National Park Headquarters has been committed to improving habitats for migratory birds by collaborating with local fish farmers to transform private fish ponds into habitats more suitable for foraging by indicator species such as the black-faced spoonbill. At the inception of the program, only three fish farmers participated, covering an area of approximately 10.8 hectares; today, the program has expanded to include 47 fish farmers and 248.57 hectares of fish ponds dedicated to creating eco-friendly habitats. Among them, Chengxi Village Chief Yen Wen-cheng was one of the first fish farmers to participate in the program, and has been a significant promoter of eco-friendly habitat initiatives. This collaborative model allows for the coexistence of fisheries development and ecological conservation, further ensuring the survival of the black-faced spoonbill.

Partnering with Enterprises in Habitat Management: A Win-Win for Ecology and Industry

To further enhance conservation efforts, the National Park Service is aligning with international trends by actively incorporating ESG resources, establishing the “Habitat Management and Corporate ESG Partnerships.” Currently, the Taijiang National Park Headquarters has signed memorandums of understanding with companies such as Mingtai Insurance Co., Ltd., Jebsee Electronics Co., Ltd., and Taiwan Mobile Co., Ltd. Together, they are promoting the management of black-faced spoonbill habitats, investing in eco-friendly resources, and advocating national park conservation, creating a win-win situation for both ecology and industry. The National Park Service emphasizes that wetlands and coasts not only possess rich biodiversity but also serve as crucial areas for carbon sequestration and environmental sustainability. Preserving and enhancing the biodiversity of protected areas aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Global Biodiversity Framework.

Director Hsieh Wei-sung of the Taijiang National Park Headquarters emphasized that since the park’s establishment in 2009, efforts have been dedicated not only to maintaining the protected habitats within the park but also to actively building partnerships with surrounding communities, NGOs, and corporations. From creating eco-friendly habitats with local fish farmers to integrating corporate resources, a conservation network involving both the public and private sectors, as well as widespread community participation, has gradually been established. In the future, efforts will continue in the integration of corporate sustainability resources as well as the expansion the development of eco-friendly habitats to provide black-faced spoonbills and other migratory birds with a safer and more abundant habitat while realizing the vision of ecological conservation and environmental sustainability in national parks through collaboration.

T69’s continuous return is not only a testament to the miraculous survival of an individual bird but also a symbol of successful conservation efforts. Through collaboration between the government, local communities, and corporations, the Taijiang National Park Headquarters is steadily achieving its goal of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature, transforming this land into a sustainable haven for black-faced spoonbills and other wildlife.