During the land crab breeding season, the Kenting National Park Administration will launch crab conservation and traffic management on the section of Provincial Highway 26 from Banana Bay to Shadao Island.
This initiative is jointly carried out by staff and volunteers from the Kenting Administration and the Fenggang Engineering Section of the Third Regional Maintenance Office of the Directorate General of Highways and the 8th Brigade of the 7th Security Police Group.
The implementation period is from 8/1 to 8/3, and 8/30 to 9/1 (the 15th, 16th, and 17th days of the 6th and 7th lunar months), from 18:30 to 20:30. Additionally, it will be in effect from 9/29 to 10/1 (the 15th, 16th, and 17th days of the 8th lunar month) from 18:00 to 20:00.
The traffic control will be applied to a 2-kilometer section from kilometer marker 39.5 to 41.5 on Provincial Highway 26, where the original four-lane road will be reduced to two lanes, with both sides narrowed, and during the control period, the inner lane will be open for 10 minutes after every 10 minutes of closure to ensure the safe passage of land crabs from land to sea for breeding.
As part of the crab corridor experiment between kilometer markers 39.6 and 39.8, there are differences in road levels and ground elevation in that area. To avoid human interference with the experiment and ensure pedestrian safety, pedestrian control measures will be enforced in the area. Only personnel with identification cards will be allowed entry, and non-personnel will be prohibited from entering the area.
Apart from road closures and traffic control, on-site ecological surveys and monitoring will be conducted, along with scheduled land crab environmental education activities. To avoid disrupting the survey work and improve the quality of on-site environmental education, this year’s venue will be relocated to the Banana Bay Fishing Port area.
On-site explanations will be provided at scheduled times, with adjustments based on the number of visitors. It is hoped that the public will show more consideration and respect for the park’s wildlife. To ensure the smooth execution of on-site work and minimize disturbances to land crabs, unnecessary road users are kindly requested not to visit the area during the control period. Let’s clear the roads, coasts, and beaches during this time and give way to the land crab mothers. Please allow for a safe road and leave a peaceful marine nursery.
Exciting Land Crab Environmental Education Events
The Kenting National Park Administration will organize three land crab lectures to raise public awareness about land crabs and their challenges. The first lecture will be held on August 3rd at 10:00 AM at the Kenting Visitor Center, featuring a speech by Dr. Chiu Yu-Wen titled “Guardians of Mountains, Rivers, and Seas – Springs, Land Crabs, and Coastal Forests.”
Dr. Chiu will guide the audience to learn about the precious Kenting coastal forests, springs, and the land crabs inhabiting these habitats. Additionally, on August 25th, at the Kaohsiung Main Library, there will be lectures by Dr. Liu Hong-Chang on “The Amazing Ecology of Land Crabs” and Dr. Li Zheng-Zhang on “The Stories of Land Crabs.” On August 31st, at the Kenting Forest Recreation Area Visitor Center, Mr. Gu Qing-Fang, a conservation volunteer from the Kenting Administration, will give a talk on “The Relationship Between Land Crabs and the Environment.”
Furthermore, in cooperation with the Harbor Community, there will be three sessions of “A Promise with the National Park – A Refreshing Summer Night with Crabs” on July 29th, August 5th, and September 2nd.
Led by community interpreters, these events will help the public understand land crab ecology. The Visitor Center is also hosting a special exhibition titled “World-Class Land Crabs in Kenting,” which introduces land crabs in the Kenting area and highlights their significance in the world through images and specimens. Except for the events organized by the National Park with an admission fee, all other activities are free of charge. The Kenting Administration welcomes the general public to join and learn about land crab ecology.
Let's Together Protect Kenting's Land Crabs
The Kenting Administration once again urges everyone to drive with heightened vigilance and reduce speed when traveling on roads within the national park area.
Due to the rich ecological diversity in Kenting, many creatures may appear on or near the roads during both day and night. Therefore, when encountering wildlife, please give them the right of way. Additionally, when observing land crabs in Kenting, please avoid causing excessive disturbances. F
or further information, you can visit the Kenting Administration’s official website at http://www.ktnp.gov.tw to stay updated. If anyone discovers land crab capturing or habitat destruction, please report it to the Kenting National Park Administration (08-8861321) and the 8th Brigade of the 7th Security Police Group (08-8861331). With everyone’s protection, Kenting’s land crabs will continue to thrive.