TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Shei-Pa National Park (雪霸國家公園), one of Taiwan's premier conservation areas, launched a groundbreaking aerial mission Thursday (Sept. 4) to transport endangered Formosan landlocked salmon (櫻花鉤吻鮭), known as Taiwan's "national treasure fish," to remote high-altitude habitats. The park collaborated with Ginger Aviation (勁捷航空有限公司) to airlift the precious cargo to mountain streams previously inaccessible by conventional means. This innovative conservation strategy aims to expand the species' habitat range and enhance survival prospects.
Park management successfully transported 240 yearling salmon, each approximately 16 centimeters (6.3 inches) long, to the upper reaches of Sijielan Creek (司界蘭溪) using helicopter airlift. The operation followed a year of field research and two aerial surveys to ensure success. Director Lin Wen-he (林文和) told the Central News Agency (中央社), Taiwan's official news agency, that reaching these remote release points posed significant logistical challenges, with previous efforts requiring labor-intensive manual transport.
Lin acknowledged that helicopter flights are costly, but Ginger Aviation shouldered the expense as part of its corporate social responsibility commitment. Shei-Pa National Park plans to identify additional high-altitude streams that can provide refuge from typhoons and climate change impacts. This strategic approach aims to expand habitat space and enhance genetic diversity, ensuring the long-term survival of the Formosan landlocked salmon.
The Formosan landlocked salmon, an Ice Age relic species, faced a critical population low of just over 200 individuals when the park was established in 1992. Extensive conservation efforts have dramatically increased the wild population to over 18,000 individuals today. Park management reported stable, healthy populations in areas including Lo Yeh Wei Creek (羅葉尾溪), He Huan Creek (合歡溪), and Nan Hu Creek (南湖溪). ◼