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By Wang Jung-hsiang and Hollie Younger / Staff reporter, with staff writer
Authorities reminded the public that pets are banned from Kaohsiung’s Shoushan (壽山) and Banpingshan (半屏山) national park areas to protect local wildlife, and prevent fights between dogs and monkeys.
The National Nature Park Headquarters’ National Park Service said six contraventions were recorded in 2023 and six last year, with one person incurring an increased fine after breaking the rules twice.
Two incidents have already been recorded in the first two months of this year, it said.
Photo courtesy of the National Nature Park Headquarters’ National Park Service
The mountains are busy tourist hot spots, with Shoushan receiving 1.84 million visitors last year, and Banping about 115,000, it said.
The ban is in place because pets could carry infectious diseases and parasites, such as canine distemper, fleas and mites, which could infect owners and other visitors, it said.
The parks are also home to many native species that pets might attack or intimidate, including the Formosan rock macaque and the tiny and timid Formosan Reeves’ muntjac.
Last year, park rangers reported witnessing an unleashed dog confronting a group of macaques, it said.
Park rangers frequently patrol the area and if they encounter hikers who have brought pets into the park, they issue a verbal warning to leave immediately. If visitors ignore the rules, rangers impose a fine.
If the pet owner fails to adequately explain their case, it would be confirmed as a clear contravention of park rules and a fine would be issued.
Fines begin from NT$1,500, but might rise to NT$3,000 for repeat offenses, the park service said.
