Taiwan Cetacean Society
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Mission Statement
Taiwan possesses a uniquely advantageous natural environment, being surrounded by the sea on all sides and teeming with abundant marine resources. Particularly notable is the rich diversity of whale and dolphin species, which accounts for roughly one-third of the world's total. However, the majority of the population has limited knowledge about the surrounding marine areas and its inhabitants. Furthermore, issues such as human activities and marine pollution are gradually endangering the habitats and populations of Taiwan's whales, dolphins, and sea turtles. Every year, there are over 13 stranded sea turtles and 3 cetaceans need to be rescued in northern Taiwan, in addition to conducting rescue operations for these animals, trying our best to provide them with a chance to return to the ocean, we also aim to bring changes through education. This way, people from various regions across Taiwan can develop a deeper understanding of the ocean, its inhabitants like whales, dolphins, and sea turtles, and enable more individuals to have personal experiences with the sea, cultivate a love for the ocean, and take concrete actions. We look forward to the public working together with us to protect the ocean, care for marine animals, and jointly maintain the sustainable development of the marine ecosystem. The Taiwan Cetacean Society(TCS) was established on October 17, 1988, and is the first cetacean conservation organization in the Asia-Pacific region. TCS has long been committed to saving stranded cetacean and promoting their conservation and has been dedicated to raising public awareness of whales and dolphins.
About This Cause
In 2023, Taiwan Cetacean Society(TCS) established the only comprehensive rehabilitation center in northern Taiwan for both sea turtles and cetaceans. In this region (which spans from Changhua to Yilan and has a coastline length of approximately 545.45 kilometers), an average of 180 sea turtles and cetaceans are reported stranded each year. Among them, 13 sea turtles and 4 cetaceans are often diseased, injured, or entangled in fishing gear or ocean trash, necessitating medical attention and care. The primary purpose of our rehabilitation center is to provide care for injured, sick, or stranded sea turtles. Addressing their immediate health needs, treating injuries, and facilitating their recovery are top priorities. Especially we found out that marine animals stranded due to human activity threats, such as boat strikes or entanglement in fishing gear, have been significantly increased in recent years. Among all, the most common problem of all the sea turtles we saved is the ingestion of plastic, some of them are lucky enough to get rid of the plastic pieces in its body, however some of them suffer from the starvation, toxic chemicals and even physical injury just because of the plastic production. So not only taking good care of these injured sea turtles are our responsibilities, but also making efforts to reduce plastic pollution and raise awareness about its impact on sea turtles and other marine life are crucial for their conservation. The work of our rehabilitation center include: Rescue and Care: Providing immediate care and medical attention to injured, sick, or stranded sea turtles, addressing their health issues, and ensuring their well-being during their rehabilitation period. Rehabilitation: Rehabilitating sea turtles through proper veterinary care, nutrition, physical therapy, and environmental enrichment to help them regain strength, mobility, and health. Release: Facilitating the successful release of rehabilitated sea turtles back into their natural habitats, where they can contribute to the survival of their populations and the health of marine ecosystems. Research: Gathering data on the health, behavior, and migration patterns of sea turtles before and after rehabilitation, which contributes to scientific understanding and informs conservation efforts. Education and Outreach: Raising awareness about the importance of sea turtle conservation and the threats they face, while educating the public, schools, and tourists about responsible behavior to minimize human impacts on sea turtles and marine environments. Collaboration: Collaborating with other conservation organizations, research institutions, local communities, and government agencies to enhance conservation efforts and contribute to broader marine conservation goals. Advocacy: Advocating for stronger regulations and policies to protect sea turtles and their habitats, as well as raising awareness about the broader issue of marine pollution and its impact. Community Engagement: Engaging with local communities, fishermen, and businesses to promote sea turtle-friendly practices and foster a sense of stewardship for the marine environment. Data Collection and Monitoring: Collecting data on the outcomes of rehabilitation efforts, tracking the progress of released turtles, and using this information to continually improve rehabilitation techniques and strategies.