Rookery Profile: TaiPing Island

English name: TaiPing Island

Chinese name: 太平島 (Tai-Ping-Dao)


View Larger Map Location: 10.3750° N, 114.3667° E

Sand type: Coral

Studied since: 1995 (only occasional, short research trips)

Predominant species: There is an relatively high number of sea turtles nesting on this small, remote island. The number of sea turtles nesting each year likely exceeds that of any other Taiwanese rookery. However, data on this nesting population is limited due to the fact that the island is extremely remote, and the military allows very limited stays on the island. During peak season, over 20 turtles can be encountered nesting in one night.

Interesting facts:
- Turtle research patrols here are always accompanied by an armed military escort.
- This island is also claimed by China, Vietnam, Malaysia, The Philippines and Brunei.

Selected readings:

Cheng, I-J. 2007. The nesting ecology and post-nesting migration of sea turtles on Taipin Tao, Nansha Archipelago, South China Sea. Chelonia Conserv. Biol. 6(2): 277-282.

Cheng, I-J. 2000. Sea turtles at Dungsha Tao (Pratas Island) and Taipin Tao (Spratly Islands), South China Sea. in Pilcher, N. and G. Ismail (eds.) “Sea Turtles of the Indo-Pacific: Research, Management and Conservation” pp. 59-68. ASEAN Academic Press, London.

Rookery Profile: XiaoLiuChiu Island

English name: XiaoLiuChiu Island

Chinese name: 小琉球 (Xiao-Liu-Chiu)


View Larger Map Location:  22.3386° N, 120.3698° E

Sand type: Coral

Studied since: 2011

Predominant species: A small number (<15) of nesting green turtles have been recorded on the beaches of this island since 2011. However, there is a relatively high number in the waters around this island year-round. Based on a study using facial photo-identification of individual turtles in the water, it is estimated that there are over 100 individuals.

Interesting facts:
- This island has the highest concentration of temples in Taiwan (6/km²).
- Due to the fact that this is a coral island, there are many interesting cave complexes.
- A well-known local delicacy is barbecued sausage with flying fish eggs.
- XiaoLiuChiu is an excellent scuba diving location, due to its healthy and abundant coral, fish and sea turtles.

Rookery Profile: Orchid Island

English name: Orchid Island

Chinese name: (Lan-Yu-Dao)


View Larger Map Location: 22.0500° N, 121.5333° E

Sand type: Volcanic

Studied since: 1997

Predominant species: This island is home to the second largest intensively-studied green turtle nesting population in Taiwan.

Interesting facts:
- Taiwan kukri snakes (Oligodon formosanus) are a known predator of turtle eggs on this island.
- Orchid Island is home to several rare species that are endemic to this island alone, such as the Lanyu scops owl (Otus elegans), and a rare endemic orchid (Phalaenopsis equestris).
- The majority of the island is inhabited by local aboriginal people (known as the Tao, or Yami people) who have a rich and interesting culture very closely linked to the ocean and its marine life.
- National Geographic magazine determined that the language of these local aboriginals is one of the top 10 endangered languages on earth.
- The waters surrounding the island have a high density and diversity of sea snakes.
- Orchid Island is also home to a nuclear waste storage facility.

Selected readings:

Cheng I-J, Dutton PH, Chen C-L, Chen H-C, Chen Y-H, Shea, J-W. 2008. Comparison of the Genetics and Nesting Ecology of Two Green Turtle Rookeries in Taiwan. J Zoology 276(4): 375-384.

Cheng I-J, Huang C-T, Hung P-Y, Ke B-Z, Kuo C-W, Fong C. 2009. A ten year monitoring of the nesting ecology of the green turtle, Chelonia mydas, on Lanyu Island, Taiwan.  Zool Stud 48(1): 83-94.

Rookery Profile: WangAn Island

English name: WangAn Island

Chinese name: 望安嶼 (Wang-An-Dao)


View Larger Map Location: 23°21′25.4N 119°30′1.2 E

Sand type: Coral

Studied since: 1992

Predominant species: This island is home to the largest intensively-studied green turtle nesting population in Taiwan.

Interesting facts:
- Many local residents are small-scale farmers of fishermen.
- The WangAn Green Turtle Tourism and Conservation Centre was established here in 2002, and contains housing and laboratory facilities for researchers, as well as a natural history museum for the public.
- Hawksbill turtles have been observed in the waters around this island, but have not been seen nesting.
- Many ancient Japanese colonial houses remain intact on the island.
- Brown sugar cakes are a local delicacy special to this island.

Selected readings:

Roden SE, Morin PA, Frey A, Balazs GH, Zarate P, Cheng I-J, Dutton PH. Green turtle population structure in the Pacific: new insights from single nucleotide polymorphisms and microsatellites. Endang Spec Res. 20: 227-234

Cheng I-J, Dutton PH, Chen C-L, Chen H-C, Chen Y-H, Shea, J-W. 2008. Comparison of the Genetics and Nesting Ecology of Two Green Turtle Rookeries in Taiwan. J Zoology 276(4): 375-384.(SCI)

Chen, H-C., Cheng, I-J., Hong E. 2007. The influence of the beach environment on the digging success and nest site distribution of the green turtle, Chelonia mydas on Wan-an Island, Penghu Archipelago, Taiwan. J. Coastal Res. 23(5): 1277-1286.(SCI)

Cheng, I-J. 2000. Post-nesting migrations of green turtles at Wan-An Island, Penghu Archipelago, Taiwan. Mar. Biol. 137: 747-754.

Chen, T-H. and Cheng, I-J. 1995. Breeding biology of the green turtle,Chelonia mydas, (Reptilia: Cheloniidae) on Wan-An Island, Peng-Hu Archipelago, Taiwan. I. Nesting ecology. Mar. Biol. 124: 9-15.

Wang, H-C and Cheng, I-J. 1999. Breeding biology of the green turtle,Chelonia mydas, (Reptilia: Cheloniidae) on Wan-An Island, Peng-Hu Archipelago, Taiwan. II. Nest site selection. Mar. Biol. 133: 603-609.