Typhoon Sinlaku is long gone but the effect on wild animals of the heavy rains that accompanied the typhoon was seen even after the typhoon left. After the typhoon, a Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax 夜鷺) was delivered to the Park’s Conservation Section. When it was brought to the Section the bird was soaking wet and very weak. It had no obvious injuries and it was estimated that it had become exhausted after being battered by the typhoon’s strong winds and torrential rain. Conservation staff fed it small fish and glucose water to help it recover its strength and allowed it to rest. It will be observed for a while and when it has fully recovered it will be returned to the wild.

Specialist in the Park’s Conservation section, Chu He-zong, said that although plants and animals were affected and some damaged by the typhoon, typhoons are a natural phenomenon and bring the heavy rain the forest needs. After a typhoon, as long as there is no further interference or damage by people, nature can repair itself. This is the endless natural cycle in Taiwan.

Translated by：Kevin Lax
Source：Taroko National Park Headquarters