TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Researchers at Shei-Pa National Park (雪霸國家公園) have made significant discoveries in the Guanwu (觀霧) area, capturing several rare bat species and adding a new record species. These findings, announced on Thursday (Jan. 22), underscore the region's ecological importance and highlight the need for ongoing monitoring and research.
Researchers conducted a 2025 survey revealing the capture of the endangered Asian Parti-colored Bat (霜毛蝠) in Guanwu, a rare occurrence in Taiwan. This capture suggests the area could be a crucial stopover during the bat's wintering or migration process, underscoring the importance of continued monitoring to better understand its ecological habits. Hodgson's bat (金黃鼠耳蝠), a rare species in Taiwan, was also captured in Guanwu for the first time in 19 years.
In September 2025, Dr. Chen Chia-hung (陳家鴻) captured a Necklace sprite (黃頸蝠) in Guangu, marking the first record of this bat species in the area. This discovery indicates the potential to find highly elusive or low-density species, contributing to the area's ecological diversity. Director Lin Wen-he (林文和) of Shei-Pa National Park emphasized the importance of professional research, noting that Dr. Chen Chia-hung's years of study have enriched the park's bat ecology data.
The Xuejian Recreation Area (雪見遊憩區) has seen an increase in the use of its large bat house by the East Asian tailless leaf-nosed bat (臺灣無尾葉鼻蝠) since the installation of infrared automatic cameras in 2024. The 2025 monitoring confirmed a stable utilization frequency and a growing number of individuals, indicating successful conservation efforts. Shei-Pa National Park also continues to collaborate with the Formosan Golden Bat's Home (雲林縣黃金蝙蝠生態館) in 2025 to promote the R'uyan (白蘭) Tribe's bat house project.