4. *Note that its
range is
restricted to the
Oriental
biogeographic
region
Historic
Range
5. 13th – 19th century: pelts
traded and worn by
Taiwanese aborigines
1862: Robert Swinhoe
acquires pelt
1900: Live specimen
witnessed by Japanese
naturalist
6. 1983: Dead specimen
found in snare
1990: Fresh pelt
discovered through black
market in Taiwan
2004: Chiang Po-Jen’s
camera trap study turns
up negative
2013: Status under review
by R.O.C.
7.
8. Hunted by aborigines for
fur
Habitat loss and
fragmentation
Overexploitation of prey
species
Theme: Humans
changing landscape
9.
10. 1989 Wildlife
Conservation Act
Populations of prey
species increasing
rapidly
Attitudes among
Taiwanese and
aborigines changing
11.
12. Benefits:
Keep ecosystem in check
Rising herbivore
populations
Rising small predator
populations
Species “reservoir”
Aesthetic
Finding a viable
population from which
to gather specimens
Need suitable, non-
fragmented habitat
Local opposition to the
reintroduction of a
predator
Issues
13.
14. Limited resources leads
to environmental
appreciation?
Derivative of mainland
Chinese culture
Can these mechanisms
be applied to the rest of
East/Southeast Asia?
15. The fate of much of the
world’s biodiversity may
now rest (unwittingly) in
East Asia’s hands
Exploitation of natural
resources in region and
across planet
