Main venue of the 2013 Yunlin Agriculture Expo is becoming one of the favor residences for many birds and insects. This is especially true for Common Moorhen also known as the "swamp chicken”; there were about 70 of them. But recently, the staff of the venue found that there are only ten of them left. This may due to human disturbance that makes them relocate. Yunlin County Government called on the people to jointly safeguard this ecological environment which many creatures call it home now.
The main purpose of the 2013 Agriculture Expo is to protect the ecological system. As a result, the whole floor of the 17.8 hectares venue has been transformed into a wetland that not only can successfully filter the water from the nearby sewage but also attracts many waterfowl to live and bread here.
Zhang Wen-Xian, the man behind the creation of the ecological system in the venue, indicates that birding is with an ease during dawn and dusk. Woodpecker, White-breasted Waterhen (Amaurornis phoenicurus), Greater Painted-snipe, Pheasant-tailed Jacana (Hydrophasianus chirurgus), and Common Moorhen (swamp chicken) are the most commonly seen. In addition to a variety of resident birds, there are more than two kinds of fireflies, dozens of dragonflies, and seven different frogs.
The staff says that swamp chicken is the most commonly seen bird in the venue. There were about 70 of them during observations in February and March. Due to some harassment from unknown persons there are only ten remaining. Wetland plans are also among the victims. Magistrate Su Zhi-Fen urges people to treasure these creatures. In order to guard this habitat and its residences, Huwei Police Station has placed three patrol boxes around the venue.
Department of Agriculture Forest and Conservation Section Chief Huang Lan Mei pointed out that all wildlife, both protected and non-persevered species, are protected by Article 17 of the Wildlife Conservation Law - forbidding anyone from poaching and slaughtering any wildlife animals. For your information, Common Moorhen (also known as the "swamp chicken") is a resident bird and unprotected specie. They can be found easily in ponds, rivers, lakes, mangrove forests, plains wetlands, paddy fields, and fish farms. They are a distinctive species with dark plumage apart from the white under tail, yellow legs and a red facial shield. They can range from 30 to 33 cm in length and has a chubby body. They are short-distance flight habitants and are omnivorous birds with good swimming and diving skill.