TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Kaohsiung Agriculture Bureau announced Wednesday the launch of an information-sharing platform to help reduce conflicts between humans and Formosan rock monkeys.
The platform will collect data on monkey behavior in residential areas surrounding Shoushan National Nature Park and encourage public participation in managing interactions with the animals, per CNA.
To promote coexistence, the bureau has partnered with the Formosan Rock Monkey Coexistence Promotion Society to host free workshops and distribute educational materials. These efforts aim to help residents understand the monkeys’ habits and respond appropriately to reduce confrontations.
The workshops, specifically designed for residents near Shoushan, will cover monkey behavior and practical ways to avoid conflict. Participants will also learn how to join and use the new information platform.
The society will hand out educational cards with monkey-related safety tips at the workshops.
Agriculture Bureau Director Yao Chih-wang (姚志旺) noted that the Formosan rock monkey is an endemic species to Taiwan and stressed that proper knowledge can help foster a more harmonious relationship between people and wildlife. He encouraged the public to engage with the platform.
Workshops will be held on weekends and are scheduled as follows:
- July 12: Kaohsiung Public Library Nan Gushan Branch, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
- July 20: Kaohsiung Public Library Zuoying Branch, 1 p.m.–3 p.m.
- July 26: Kaohsiung Public Library Gushan Branch, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
Members of the public can sign up for the workshops through the society’s official Facebook page.
