Liang Chieh-te Releases New Documentary, Unveiling the Protection of Endangered Mountain Hawk-Eagles

Documentary filmmaker Liang Chieh-te recently completed his new documentary, 'Fly, Mountain Hawk-Eagle.' He told CNA today in an exclusive interview that the Mountain Hawk-Eagle is a protected species, highly attractive due to its majestic physique and sharp eyes. He had planned to film a documentary about it 12 years ago. However, due to the species' rarity and elusive nature, the filming process involved long waits, sometimes days without any sightings.

The Mountain Hawk-Eagle, also known as the Crested Serpent Eagle or Hodgson's Hawk-Eagle, is characterized by its crest-like feathers on the back of its head, hence the name 'Horned Eagle.' It is listed as an endangered wild animal in the 'Taiwan Red List Assessment of Threatened Categories' published by the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency.

The Mountain Hawk-Eagle holds significant meaning in the cultures of Taiwan's indigenous Paiwan and Rukai tribes, symbolizing nobility and courage. The hawk-eagle's nest is the starting point of life and a window for researchers to understand its breeding behavior and diet. Liang Chieh-te said that the low- and mid-altitude primary forests, which are crucial habitats for the Mountain Hawk-Eagle, also face human development pressures, making it difficult to find nests and further complicating the filming project.

Later, he collaborated with Mountain Hawk-Eagle researcher Sun Yuan-hsun's team to track the eagles for 12 years in areas such as Wulai Fushan in northern New Taipei, Dasyueshan, Yushan National Park, the Southern Cross-Island Highway, and Pingtung tribal areas. They rode through slippery mountain areas and walked along collapsing edges, just to capture the fleeting figures of the Mountain Hawk-Eagle, jointly researching and documenting its life and breeding process.

He said that Yilan County teachers Chiu Chia-te and Lin Ko-hsin, who study Taiwanese raptors and ecological conservation, later joined the team. They set up monitoring equipment in nesting areas to observe the activities of young birds after leaving the nest. According to different estimation methods by scholars and bird societies, the current population of Mountain Hawk-Eagles in Taiwan is estimated to be between 500 and 1000 individuals.

Liang Chieh-te said that the documentary integrates natural records and culture. Many scenes come from records in Wulai Fushan, New Taipei, where a population of about 6-7 individuals is currently breeding. Through aerial photography and close-range monitoring, the film documents the rare behaviors of the Mountain Hawk-Eagle and unveils the mystery of its chick-rearing. It also records the hardships of tracking the eagles and the tension between tribal culture's reverence for feathers and conservation efforts.

He said the film witnesses the long-term efforts of a group of scholars, birdwatchers, and tribal people to protect the Mountain Hawk-Eagle in the deep mountains. It also invited renowned director Wu Nien-chen to provide the narration with his warm and profound voice, and Golden Horse Award winner Lim Giong to create the soundtrack. The film is scheduled for public release on May 15th. (Edited by Lin Shu-hui) 1150408