Xiaoliuqiu Locals Work To Protect Land Crabs During Breeding Season Migration

TaiwanPlus News

It’s land crab breeding season on Xiaoliuqiu Island. As the small creatures cross dangerous roads to lay their eggs, locals are stepping up to protect them.

Transcript

00:01Xiao Liuqiu, a small island off the southwestern coast of Taiwan,

00:05is known for its abundant sea turtles, clear waters and vibrant coral reefs.

00:11But when night falls in the summer, the island comes alive in a different way,

00:15with some interesting creatures crawling into view.

00:30The tiny island is just 6.8 square kilometers, but is home to about 20 species of land crabs,

00:40with the most numerous being the purple land crab.

00:43Their breeding season starts with the rainy season.

00:46From June to October, during the last quarter of the moon,

00:50female crabs head to the shore to release their eggs, sometimes even from coral rocks.

00:56A crab expert says, these creatures help connect life on land and in the sea.

01:02It's the most important food, actually, is the leaves of the sea.

01:06It's able to break the soil.

01:10So, it's basically a character of breakers.

01:13So, in the land of the sea, its natural environment is very fast.

01:18But the land of the sea will increase, it will increase its natural environment.

01:21This environment is a very high production environment.

01:25But their nighttime journey, to and from the seaside, is fraught with danger.

01:40Since May, local volunteers have been raising awareness about crabs on the roads at night.

01:47These volunteers patrolled the island's ring road, and share their passion for land crabs with visitors.

02:04I had only been a poultry having a poultryLR來 семью in the waves when he was growing up and the sea.

02:08And left the island the sea.

02:10Is that right?

02:11Do you know the water?

02:13Sure, I know.

02:14How did I know what?

02:14I was saying they were a baby.

02:15Of course, of course.

02:15The standing there dog salts on the road.

02:16Of course, you know it.

02:17通常, they are walking along the sea.

02:22A part of the volunteers effort is counting how many crabs had hit on the road.

02:26In June alone, over 800 crabs were killed.

02:29were killed.

02:33During the crab breeding season, Wang Tian Zheng, a native of Xiao Liuqiu, spends one

02:39to two hours every morning conducting roadkill surveys around the island.

02:59Volunteers spread the word by putting up signs and handing out crab stickers to local shops.

03:08This year, a crab corridor was built to help land crabs across the road safely.

03:14The locals hope to take it a step further by closing one section of the road to protect

03:19the crabs, and they've received support from the government.

03:22Protecting land crabs isn't just about saving one's species.

03:43It's about preserving a key component of the local ecosystem, and creating a better environment

03:48for everyone.

03:49Pi Qizhong and Sinechi for Taiwan Plus.

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