In light of the large numbers of birdwatchers swarming to Linnei Mountain (林內山) in Yunlin County to see the endangered fairy pitta, the Wild Bird Society of Yunlin yesterday said it would hire security guards to protect the birds’ habitats from human disturbance.
Due to the destruction of its natural habitat and excessive hunting, the migratory bird has become vulnerable to extinction, the society said.
As fairy pitta build their nests on the mountain between May and July every year, bird lovers from around the world flock to the mountain during the period to capture the birds on film, the society said.
Photo courtesy of the Wild Bird Society of Yunlin
Of all the birdwatching spots on the mountain, the Longguomai hiking trail, where fairy pitta sightings peak, is the most popular among photographers, it said.
To get the best view of the birds, some photographers have played the sound of birds humming, used worms to entice them and removed plants, disrupting the birds’ natural habits and destroying their habitat, it said.
Some people went as far as to steal hatchlings, it added.
Photo courtesy of the Wild Bird Society of Yunlin
Society director Chen Hsueh-chin (陳雪琴) said that to prevent similar incidents, the society’s director-general Chang Tzu-chien (張子見) launched a campaign to raise funds to hire two security guards.
The guards are to work in shifts to protect the birds around the clock, Chen said.
Their responsibilities include stopping people who try to use the fairy pittas’ humming to entice the birds or attempt to breach security nets set up around the birds’ habitats, she said.
They would also be in charge of contacting central and local government agencies tasked with protecting the birds if necessary, she said.
Chen said that the society would need to add about NT$90,000 to its payroll.
Chang said that he would coordinate with other agencies in funding the program, and that he would continue to support the program next year even if the authorities decide not to participate.
Chen Chin-tsun (陳清圳), former director-general of the association, urged the public to refrain from behavior that might disturb or hurt the birds.
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