Eight Species Removed from List of Protected Species|台灣獼猴.山羌等8動物 降為一般類動物

The Forestry Bureau held a meeting on June 25 and reached a consensus with the experts in removing eight species from the protected animals category. Species such as the Formosan rock macaques and Reeve's muntjacs have been demoted to average wild animals.

The Forestry Bureau have reached a consensus with animal experts after a lengthy meeting and decided to remove the Formosan rock macaques from the list of protected species. The macaques have been growing rampant in recent years and their total number is estimated at over 300,000. After the demotion, local farmers now have the right to capture and kill the macaques when their crops are harmed. Officials at the Forestry Bureau said that the macaques are still covered under the Animal Protection Act and that hunting the macaques for purposes other than research or harm prevention will be subject to fines of between NT$60,000 to NT$300,000. Farmers and many local governments have expressed supported to the latest development, while they also await for the follow-up procedures.