TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The first domestically produced documentary on the mountain hawk-eagle premiered on Friday (July 19) at the National Museum of Natural Science.
The Yushan National Park Headquarters (YNPH) said in a statement director Liang Chieh-te (梁皆得) spent three years filming a mountain hawk-eagle family in the Nanheng region, per CNA. "Mountain Hawk-Eagle on the Mountain" chronicles the life of Uli, the first mountain hawk-eagle chick fitted with a satellite transponder from its birth to its departure from the nest.
The YNPH noted the bird is an endangered species under the Wildlife Conservation Act. Excluding the more stable populations within national parks, reserves, and refuges, the large bird of prey faces threats from overhunting and habitat loss in other areas.
YNPH Director Lu Shui-fei (盧淑妃) invited YNPH mountain hawk-eagle researcher and National Pingtung University of Science and Technology Institute of Wildlife Conservation Professor Suen Yuan-shiuan (孫元勳) to speak at the premiere. Suen discussed the breeding habits, chick-rearing practices, and general behavior of mountain hawk-eagles, highlighting their role as apex predators in the ecosystem.
The statement added that Liang and Suen conducted an 18-day live stream at the same mountain hawk-eagle nest, broadcasting the life of Uli's sibling, Salung. The live stream garnered over 150,000 viewers from 19 countries.
Suen told a CNA reporter that mountain hawk-eagles are the strongest resident raptors in Taiwan, requiring large areas of old-growth forest for habitat. A recent ecological survey by Suen estimated 500 mountain hawk-eagle families, totaling roughly 1,000 individuals.
Due to the remoteness of the nests, the live stream relied on solar panels for power. Suen expressed hope that the rare footage would raise awareness about the importance of environmental preservation.
National Park Service Deputy Director Chen Chen-jung (陳貞蓉) emphasized the crucial role of national parks in protecting endemic species, particularly Yushan National Park, which encompasses 3% of the country's land area. Chen said the premiere aligns with the government's efforts to educate the public about endemic species and conservation initiatives.
