The International Conference on Eurasian Otter Conservation and Reintroduction was held again in Kinmen by the Kinmen County Government, Taipei Zoo, and Kinmen National Park Headquarters. Eighteen otter experts from 10 member countries of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) attended the event to discuss conservation strategies, which showed that the otter conservation technology in Kinmen has been recognized by experts at home and abroad. Wu Cheng-Dian, Kinmen County Deputy Magistrate, said at the opening ceremony that otter conservation is a matter of great urgency for Kinmen and an indispensable indicator of its sustainable development, and that Kinmen is fortunate enough to have otter habitats and traces, which should be cherished. Organized three years ago at the Zhongshanlin Visitor Center by the Taipei Zoo, Kinmen County Government, and Kinmen National Park Headquarters, the Symposium on Eurasian Otter Conservation in Kinmen was attended by experts and conservation managers engaged in research, conservation, and restoration of Eurasian otters from home and abroad, as well as conservationists and those concerned about otter issues to discuss about how to integrate resources and strength of all parties. Its aim was to promote the conservation of and education about Eurasian otters, so that the species can continue to breed and thrive in Kinmen.
Li Ling-Ling, a professor of National Taiwan University who has studied otters in Kinmen for more than 20 years, said that Kinmen is a good place for eco-tourism, and that it would be very exciting if otters and tourism in Kinmen could be connected to stimulate the sustainable development of Kinmen. She said she was also willing to provide relevant information and knowledge, and do her part to protect Kinmen’s otters. Eurasian otters have not been found in the wild in Taiwan proper for many years. The otter population in Fujian Province, which is relatively close to Kinmen, has been greatly reduced due to habitat loss, pollution, and poaching. In Kinmen, in addition to the records of otter activities in local chronicles, the witness data of local residents also show that otters have settled in Kinmen for quite a long time and have reproduced here. As otters are the top level consumer in the food web of the wetland ecosystem, once the water is polluted, they are often the most sensitive and the most vulnerable species, so water environment is of crucial importance. As long as it is beneficial for future generations, we should stand out to safeguard the beautiful homeland of Kinmen!
Most Otters in Kinmen belong to the Eurasian otter (L. lutra) from the Carnivora family of mammals. Otters are no longer found on Taiwan proper. The population is only distributed across some areas of Kinmen; however, due to the pollution caused by development and construction, the otter is losing its natural habitat and its survival is being threatened, leading to the crisis of extinction. It is an important responsibility for the future development of Kinmen to utilize otter conservation and environmental education and familiarize the people and schools at all levels in Kinmen with the importance of conservation of endangered otters, so that they can join the ranks of conservationists. The Kinmen County Government Economic Affairs Department attaches great importance to the cause and often teams up with the Kinmen National Park Headquarters in conducting various related activities of otter conservation, which has aroused the public's attention to the issue.
Penghu’s Wangan Island is rich in natural ecology and cultural landscape, and because of its unique geographical environment, it is able to breed precious green sea turtles. In order to show its unique activities ranging from reproduction to growth, a green turtle conservation center has also been set up, which has become the most popular scenic spot for intellectual leisure travels. Likewise, the otter is important in local sustainable development of Kinmen. If an ideal place can be selected for an otter conservation center, it will become a worldwide landmark in the future. If we combine the habitats of cormorants and blue-tailed bee-eaters in Kinmen, and set up a Kinmen endemic species conservation center, it will be of great benefit to Kinmen’s conservation tourism and ecological sustainability. Therefore, it is hoped that the government of Kinmen County, Kinmen National Park, and related organizations can take a major step in promoting otter conservation and make the sustainable development in Kinmen a center of international attention.