Taiwan's macaques are not afraid of climbers, and they can't go anywhere on the Sakura Trail.

(Photographed by reporter You Taro)

[Reporter You Tailang/Hualien Report] On the famous Sakura Trail in the suburbs of Hualien City, over the past few days, groups of Taiwanese macaques have blatantly occupied the trail. Happy to take pictures, quite a strong contrast!

Citizens surnamed Zhang in Hualien City go to the Sakura Trail for mountaineering and hiking every holiday. They have encountered a large number of monkeys on the trail in the past few days. Unlike the past, which only activities in the woods beside the road, groups of monkeys rest, move, and even relax in the middle of the road. Scratching and grooming each other on the ground, many climbers were too scared to approach and could only observe and take pictures from a distance. Since this phenomenon had never happened before, it also caused a lot of discussion among climbers.

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A citizen surnamed Lin said that the number of monkeys has indeed increased significantly in recent years, and their traces can be seen along the road. Since last year, monkeys have become less and less afraid of people, and they can even take pictures within three meters. The interaction with humans is becoming more and more frequent, and some people make a special trip up the mountain to see the monkeys, especially children who are very excited when they see it, and it has become an alternative leisure activity.

A citizen surnamed Liang believes that according to his long-term observations, a large number of monkeys gather on the trails. In addition to the large increase in the number of the population, the most important indicator is the close relationship with humans. It is not ruled out that feeding behavior has already occurred, and he is worried that if it continues to develop , the monkeys gradually get used to human feeding and lose the ability to forage in the wild. The phenomenon of Kaohsiung Chaishan snatching backpacks and food from mountaineers will soon appear on the Sakura Trail.

The Hualien Forest Management Office has repeatedly appealed. The flora and fauna along the Sakura Trail are rich in ecology and are very popular among the public. The average number of tourists per month exceeds 5,000. In recent years, the number of wild macaques has increased greatly. However, some people actively feed them. Although the macaques have not attacked humans Behavior, I hope that the public will stop feeding wild animals, so as to avoid affecting the ecology and causing the risk of human-monkey conflicts in the future.

The total length of the Sakura Trail is 3.95 kilometers. It was originally a Taiwan cement mine. In 2000, it was rebuilt as a trail by the Forest Management Office. Because it is close to the urban area and has rich flora and fauna, you can overlook the city and the Pacific Ocean after climbing to the top. There are mountaineering activities every day. The walking of tourists, together with the figures of monkeys that appear from time to time, became a great surprise during the trekking process.

The Hualien Forest Management Office stated that tourists should "stay away when you see monkeys, don't feed them, and be careful first." Feeding wild animals will not only cause environmental pollution, the animals will lose their ability to forage in the wild and affect their health, but may also be caused by excessive contact with people. Human-monkey conflicts may also cause herpes B virus and monkeypox infection due to contact with macaques.

Crowds of macaques occupy the trails, and some climbers can only take photos from a distance, not daring to approach or walk.

(Photographed by reporter You Taro)

Groups of macaques occupy the Sakura trails, and the numbers are quite alarming.

(Photographed by reporter You Taro)

The macaques walk in single file on the trails, paying no attention to humans.

(Photographed by reporter You Taro)

Macaques interact closely with humans, and they remain unmoved even when photographed at three meters.

(Photographed by reporter You Taro)