New Taipei City Wins Six Animal Protection Awards, Satellite Tracking for Released Sea Turtle

Central News Agency

(Central News Agency reporter Huang Hsu-sheng, New Taipei, May 13) The New Taipei City Government announced today that it won six national first-place awards in the Ministry of Agriculture's 2025 animal protection-related evaluations. In addition, the injured hawksbill sea turtle "Gui Tailang," after three months of treatment, was recently released in Yehliu with a satellite transmitter for tracking, making it the first sea turtle to be tracked with a satellite device this year.

New Taipei City Mayor Hou Yu-ih today presented appreciation certificates at the city council meeting, honoring 19 groups and individuals who have long dedicated themselves to animal protection work. Furthermore, in the Ministry of Agriculture's 2025 "Animal Shelter Management Business Evaluation," "Animal Protection Business Evaluation," and "Pet Management Business Evaluation," the city achieved a total of six national first-place results, with Animal Protection Director Yang Shu-fang presenting the awards to Mayor Hou Yu-ih.

Yang Shu-fang stated that the police have been actively investigating animal protection cases in recent years. Among them, the Xindian Police Precinct handled 59 cases and transferred 10 for penalties; the Sanchong and Yonghe Police Precincts also transferred multiple cases, demonstrating the effectiveness of cross-agency cooperation.

Regarding adoption promotion, New Taipei City has partnered with 112 adoption stations, and 1005 dogs and cats have been successfully adopted in 2025. Among these, six units, including Xindian District Xiaocheng Village Chief Kuo Jen-tse, Sanxia District Yuanshan Village Chief Chou Wen-mei, and Blue World Animal Hospital Linkou branch, collectively helped 312 dogs and cats find new homes.

In addition, the city government recently held a "Gui Tailang Returns to the Sea" release event at Yehliu Elementary School. The Animal Protection Office stated that this hawksbill sea turtle was found in February near Mazu Cave in Yehliu Geopark, entangled in discarded fishing nets, and suffering from pneumonia, dehydration, and bacteremia. After three months of care, it recovered its health.

The Animal Protection Office said that this time, in cooperation with the Ocean Affairs Council Ocean Conservation Administration, a satellite transmitter was installed on the sea turtle to track its movement path and habitat conditions after release, for marine conservation research reference.

Yang Shu-fang told the Central News Agency reporter that in 2025, 5417 wild animals were rescued, including 11 whales and dolphins and 41 sea turtles. She urged the public to avoid touching beached whales or sea turtles and to immediately call 118 to report them. (Editor: Chen Ching-fang) 1150513

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