Taipei’s latest animal conservation exhibition “conservation leads the way; life’s proper place” is being featured in the 2024 International Education Innovation Expo this weekend. The event kicked off with an opening ceremony and comments by conservationists, politicians, and educators on Friday.
The conversation surrounding wildlife conservation in Taiwan has shifted from Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) to Trap-Neuter-Shelter-Adopt (TNSA). While TNR has curbed overpopulation and the proliferation of diseases among stray and outdoor animal clusters, research is now showing that more needs to be done to preserve and protect wild animals and their natural habitats.
Stray cats and dogs increase competition for resources and predation risks. Multiple native Taiwanese species—including Formosan Reeve’s muntjacs and leopard cats—have repeatedly fallen victim to stray animal attacks and diseases.
Taipei City Councilor Chien Shu-pei (簡舒培) shared that kindness and caring alone cannot adequately protect wildlife; on the contrary, they are reasons why many people release domesticated animals into the wild. Chien emphasized the importance of combining kindness and caring with knowledge.
Georny Liu (劉偉蘋) spoke on behalf of the event co-organizer “Let’s go Supporting,” breaking down in tears while recounting her journey that started ten years ago as she approached the government to advocate for TNR initiatives. Liu pointed out that while stray cats and dogs have caused a significant imbalance in the ecosystem, it is not by any fault of their own. Beyond identifying and analyzing problems, Liu said humans need to prioritize taking the necessary steps to solve them.
The 2024 International Education Innovation Expo runs through this Sunday at the Taipei EXPO Dome. The “conservation leads the way; life’s proper place” section is complete with booths from 18 animal-centric organizations. Conservationists, researchers, and veterinarians are just some of the personnel manning the booths, eager to interact, educate, and answer questions.