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There are currently three wildlife rescue units in Taiwan (Taipei Zoo, Endemic Species Research Institute, and Pingtung Rescue Center) which all belong to the public sector. There is no rescue center established by private institutes. An average of 300-350 cases are reported annually in the Huatung region that cover various types of injuries such as car accidents, trapping, poisoning, poaching, or attacks by stray dogs or cats. The main reason is the overlapping area of human activity and animal habitats. The WildOne Wildlife Conservation Association hopes to shorten the rescue time for injured animals.
To WildOne, every rescue is a challenge. The Association once took care of a bear cub, Mulas, which got lost in Guangyuan Village in Taitung. After 10 months of tender care, the weight of the cub grew from 4 kilograms to more than 40 kilograms. All the efforts were worthwhile as after the cub was sent away by helicopter the staff saw the cub run into the forest. The team is still touched by recalling the cub’s release. What drives the team forward is seeing the injured animals being released to the wild. The team shared with us one of the latest rescues: Mountain scops owl.
Because of environmental development, three mountain scops owls were forced to be separated from their parents. They were sent to the WildOne hospital. After a series of inspections, they were all healthy. The feeding plan and wildlife training were thus carried out. As the owls grew, they didn't know how to catch bugs and mouse. They stayed in the hospital office, unwilling to leave, which troubled the staff a great deal. One night, a staff walked into the training room and saw three owls staring at him with big eyes. The staff saw a thin, long creature in an owl's foot.
"It's a rat! Finally!" People were excited to see that one month of care finally paid off. When three owls flew off, people were so touched.
Since the establishment of WildOne hospital, more than 200 injured animals were rescued including reptiles, birds, mammals, bats, Formosan black bears, Taiwan bulbuls, and pangolins. Every animal sent to WildOne is cared for by the team so the animals can be cured and return to the wildness.
WildOne also knows that a rescue job is not enough for wildlife protection. To stop the tragedy, education is fundamental. In 2021, WildOne decorated an education hallway inside their building. From the front gate to the exhibition room on the second floor, the whole space was decorated into a forest. The exhibition covered the establishment of WildOne, the rescue process, and life education. With abundant introduction, people get to realize that rescue work is not merely the emphasis on life, but the significance of environment and ecosystem, fulfilling the animal welfare.
Additionally, WildOne team carried out educational promotions in elementary schools and high schools in eastern Taiwan. Through speeches and Facebook, each rescue case can be recorded, teaching children to respect life. Wildlife is brought to people's life. Only with more attention can the change be possible.
Life respect and the balance between nature and human beings have been the long-term pursuit of Wistron Foundation, which aligns with the spirit of WildOne. Since 2021, Wistron Foundation has supported WildOne to provide the injured animals with medical resources and help them safely return back to the nature.
