<strong>Correcting history</strong>
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Xuhai-Guanyinbi Nature Reserve (旭海觀音鼻自然保留區) in Pingtung County. It is the only stretch of coastline in Taiwan without a public road and functions as an area for ecological conservation, cultural preservation and the development of local tourism. In the past few years, the trail that connects Syuhai Village (旭海) with Anshuo Village (安朔) has evolved into a popular walking and tourism route, called the Alangyi Historic Trail (阿塱壹古道).
Access to the nature reserve is strictly controlled. At the beginning of last month, I attended a Pingtung County Government lottery for
Yushan National Park Headquarters is asking park visitors not to bring their pets and keep their distance from wild animals after a deceased ferret badger tested positive for rabies.
The animal was found in the park’s Tataka (塔塔加) area, the headquarters said yesterday in a news release.
Considering the popularity of Tataka, which draws nearly 700,000 visitors every year, people with pets would be banned as a preventive measure, it said.
The ban applies to the national park, including protected areas in Hualien County’s Yuli (玉里) and Jhuosi (卓溪) townships, and Kaohsiung’s Taoyuan District (桃源).
Hikers should also keep their distance from wildlife and