Connecting Grass Owl Habitats: Tainan Expands Ecological Payment Program to 9 Districts

The Tainan City Government Agriculture Bureau pointed out today that the Eastern Grass Owl is an endangered conservation species. The city government has been promoting the "Endangered Species and Important Habitat Ecological Service Payment Promotion Plan" since 2021. Initially covering only 3 administrative districts—Danei, Xinhua, and Guanmiao—it has now expanded to a total of 9 districts, including Madou, Xigang, Anding, Qigu, Guiren, and Rende.

The Agriculture Bureau stated that introducing the ecological service payment mechanism encourages farmers to adopt eco-friendly farming methods. Creating an agricultural environment suitable for grass owls helps maintain biodiversity and provides farmers with reasonable compensation while sustaining agricultural production.

According to statistics from the Agriculture Bureau, the number of applicants has grown from 9 people and 8.2 hectares in 2021 to 27 people and 27.21 hectares in 2025. This shows enthusiastic participation from farmers and proves the policy's concrete effectiveness.

Furthermore, Tainan City is actively setting up raptor perches to provide resting and foraging spots for grass owls and other birds of prey. In March 2025, a grass owl raptor perch was set up at Hushan Farm in Rende District as a demonstration site, spurring surrounding habitat creation and conservation actions. There are a total of 26 perches across the city, including 8 built by farmers themselves and 18 installed by the Agriculture Bureau. (Editor: Lee Heng-shan) 1150409