The Fire Department advises residents to take advantage of the re-maining preparation time before the typhoon arrives by thoroughly inspecting their homes and surroundings. Secure or bring indoors potted plants, hanging objects, signboards, and other items that may become airborne in strong winds. Clean balconies, rooftop drains, and nearby drainage ditches to reduce the risk of flooding caused by blocked drainage. Construction site fences, scaffolding, and large billboards should also be inspected and reinforced. Residents living in low-lying areas, on hillsides, or near rivers should prepare sand-bags and flood barriers in advance, remain alert for landslides and debris flows, and immediately comply with any evacuation orders is-sued by the authorities.

In addition, the public should check their personal emergency kits again.  Containing at least a three-day supply of drinking water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, a first-aid kit, a portable radio, a power bank, and other daily necessities in case of power outages or emer-gency evacuation. During the typhoon, avoid going outdoors unless absolutely necessary, and do not visit mountainous, river, or coastal areas for sightseeing, wave watching, fishing, or other recreational activities. During power outages, avoid using open flames for lighting to reduce the risk of fire. In an emergency, call 1999, 119, or 110 for assistance.

The Fire Department also reminds residents to stay informed through the Disaster Prevention Taipei website (eoc.gov.taipei), download the Taipei City Disaster Prevention App, and subscribe to the Taipei City Government's official LINE account to receive the lat-est updates on weather conditions, flooding, evacuation shelters, school and office closures, floodgate operations, and temporary parking regulations. By staying informed and well prepared, every-one can help safeguard lives and property.

Commissioner Yi-Hsi Chou of the Department for Youth, Taipei City Government, noted that overseas volunteer service provided the youth with valuable experiences and opportunities to rediscover themselves through engagement and companionship. Overcoming language barriers and navigating cultural differences are all essential parts of broadening their worldview and developing empathy. The Department for Youth will continue to support more young people in taking their first steps toward international volunteer service through training, resource support, and local partnerships.

This year’s Overseas Volunteer Program placed greater emphasis on adapting services to local needs and providing learning experiences in diverse settings. Young volunteers not only worked in schools but also extended their services to different communities. Volunteers to the Philippines focused on schools in mountainous areas and visited Miriam College and the Pook Libis community in Quezon City, one of Taipei’s sister cities. In Thailand, volunteers provided Chinese language instruction and extended their service to a drug rehabilitation center. Volunteers to Vietnam expanded its work from teaching at a charity school to nutrition support distribution and mural painting at a local community center. By engaging directly in community service, young volunteers learned to identify needs, communicate with local people, and eventually build meaningful connections across diverse cultures and living environments.

The Department for Youth stated that the achievement showcase was based on the youth’s journey of volunteer work and featured four themed sections: Departure, Action, Outcomes, and Reflection. Designed to bring the overseas volunteer experience to life, the exhibition offers a closer look at the communities and activities involved. The Vietnam exhibition showcased classroom activities at a charity school and student artwork to share stories of educational support and companionship. The Thailand section presented the outcomes of Chinese language education and school mural projects through interactive puzzles. Meanwhile, the Philippines section featured an interactive food culture activity titled “A Taste of the Philippines,” allowing visitors to experience local daily life through the four flavors—sour, sweet, bitter, and spicy.

During the showcase, representatives from all three teams were invited to reflect on the challenges they encountered and the lessons they learned. Melody, a volunteer from the Vietnam team, shared that her first-hand volunteering experience taught her the importance of treating others as equals and approaching them with respect. She also learned to accept unexpected changes and stay flexible. She believed that the true meaning of the journey did not lie in the destination itself, but in the genuine care and companionship she offered along the way.

The Department for Youth hopes that the showcase will inspire more people to think about how they can make a difference by seeing the actions of others. The application guidelines for the 2027 Overseas Volunteer Program are expected to be announced in early January. The Department will continue to provide training and resources, empowering young people to engage in volunteer service abroad, broaden their perspectives, and grow through meaningful experiences across different cultures and communities.

Taipei Deputy Mayor Wen-Te Chang said at the ceremony that the planning, promotion, and completion of Biotech Tunnel and Biotech Road had been a long and challenging journey. He especially thanked the Ministry of the Interior and the National Land Management Agency for their policy support, as well as Academia Sinica and local partners for their strong assistance, which made it possible to move forward with this major project tied to Nangang’s overall transportation and industrial development.

The New Construction Office said the project includes the newly built Biotech Road, about 824 meters long, including the excavated Biotech Tunnel, about 707 meters long. The most notable part of the project was the construction team’s success in overcoming the tough condition of having only 2.3 meters of minimum overburden. Before excavation, experts were concerned that the extremely shallow overburden might not form a stable arch, creating the risk of tunnel collapse on the hillside. With solid engineering expertise and careful execution, however, the team successfully completed the difficult task of safely breaking through the tunnel on December 6, 2023.

The New Construction Office added that to protect pedestrians and cyclists, Biotech Tunnel was designed with people-oriented transportation in mind. Inside the tunnel, a solid wall safely separates the traffic lanes from a dedicated pedestrian and bicycle passage up to four meters wide. In the future, whether walking or cycling, residents can enjoy a safe, comfortable route free from exhaust fumes. Notably, in the event of a disaster, this passage can also immediately serve as a key route for emergency evacuation and ambulance access.

The New Construction Office emphasized that the project also greatly improves local disaster preparedness. In the past, whenever flood gates were closed during flood season, residents and emergency vehicles had to take long detours. With Biotech Road now open, there is an all-weather alternative route, ensuring that critical rescue and access routes will no longer be cut off. The tunnel is not only practical, but also thoughtfully designed to blend into the local landscape. Inside the tunnel, curved panels and double arc lines were specially designed to create a modern spatial aesthetic through the interplay of natural and artificial light. Step out of the tunnel, and on one side is the tech-inspired vertical green wall of Nangang Station, while on the other is the natural forest beside Sifen Creek. The route also uses sculpted railings designed to be friendly to diverse species, adding plenty of greenery to the daily commute.

The New Construction Office said this new tunnel, which combines everyday convenience, people-oriented safety, and ecological sustainability, has officially entered service. Looking ahead, the Office will continue to uphold high-quality standards and create a more convenient and comfortable urban transportation environment for Taipei residents.

發稿日期：115年10月21日

發稿時間：上午10時30分

聯 絡 人：黃俊儒組長

聯絡電話：0975663057

As the autumn weather gradually cools, many citizens are planning outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and outing trips. The Taipei City Animal Protection Office (APO) reminds the public to remain vigilant regarding hornets and snakes during outdoor excursions. Citizens are advised to maintain high awareness and avoid approaching hornet nests or overgrown, grassy areas to reduce the risk of hornet stings or snakebites. If a hornet nest or snake is spotted in residential areas or high-traffic public spaces, citizens can dial the 1999 Citizen Hotline for APO assistance.

The APO stated that the period from July to November is the peak season for hornet breeding and activity. Citizens engaging in outdoor activities should follow four key anti-hornet principles:。

1. Maintain Vigilance and Dress Appropriately: Avoid moving through dense bushes and tall grass. Wear light-colored, long-sleeved clothing made of smooth fabrics, which are less likely to attract hornets or allow stings.
2. Avoid Strong Scents: Refrain from using perfumes or heavily scented products, as these strong odors may be mistaken for food sources and attract hornets, increasing the risk of stings.
3. Use Effective Insect Repellents: Carry and apply insect repellents containing DEET for repellent efficacy. If stung by a scout hornet or attacked by a swarm, do not swat or wave your hands or objects, as hornets may perceive this as a threat and intensify their attack.
4. Protect Yourself and Retreat Swiftly: If attacked by hornets, do not attempt to fight them off. Protect your head and neck, crouch low, and rapidly run back in the direction you came from to exit their defense perimeter. Call 119 immediately for emergency medical assistance.

When entering forests, mountain trails, or similar outdoor environments, citizens should also take precautions against snake encounters and bites. Pay close attention to your surroundings and avoid reaching with bare hands into tall grass, rock crevices, or other areas with obstructed vision to minimize risk. If you encounter a snake, maintain a safe distance, do not attempt to catch or drive it away on your own, and back away slowly. In the unfortunate event of a snakebite, remain calm, minimize physical activity, and call 119 immediately for prompt transport to a hospital for treatment.。

The APO added that hornets typically build new nests every year, commonly under residential window frames, eaves, or tree branches. Citizens are encouraged to inspect their home surroundings regularly for any emerging nests. If hornet swarms or snakes are found around residences or public areas, do not attempt to capture them, drive them away, or remove the nests yourself. Please report these situations immediately by dialing the 1999 Citizen Hotline for professional APO dispatch and handling.

Fig.1- Severe hornet stings can cause serious complications or even death.

Fig.2- Common venomous snakes in Taipei City: Many-banded krait, Taiwan habu, and Chinese cobra.

　　The Labor Bureau reminds job applicants that privacy information encompasses personal lifestyle details, as well as physiological and psychological test results. Job applicants and employees who are asked to provide information unrelated to their jobs should clarify the purpose of collection and its legal basis before deciding whether to disclose it. Anyone who believes their employment privacy rights have been violated may file a complaint or report the matter to the competent labor authority where the employer is registered.

　　The Labor Bureau urges employers to respect employment privacy and work together to create a healthy, inclusive, and supportive workplace.

According to Taipei HEO, Sec. 2, Donghua Street in Beitou District is a major transportation corridor with a complex network of underground utilities, closely surrounded by residential buildings and MRT facilities. Conventional open-cut reconstruction would require extensive road excavation, potentially causing severe traffic congestion, difficulties relocating underground utilities, air pollution, construction noise, and other environmental impacts. It could also pose risks to nearby MRT infrastructure. Meanwhile, conventional internal concrete reinforcement may no longer be sufficient to effectively extend the service life of the aging box culvert.

To balance flood protection with residents' quality of life, the Office decided, following a comprehensive assessment, to adopt a trenchless rehabilitation method known as Machine Wound Spiral Liners (MWSL), also called the spiral wound lining method. Widely used internationally for trenchless sewer rehabilitation, the technique offers four major advantages: fast and convenient construction, substantially reduced construction waste, lower air pollution, noise, and carbon emissions, and minimal traffic disruption. This is not the first time Taipei HEO has introduced the technology. It was previously used successfully in the Drainage Improvement Project on Lane 91, Sec. 1, Neihu Road, achieving excellent rehabilitation results. Its application to the aging stormwater sewer on Sec. 2, Donghua Street further demonstrates Taipei HEO's commitment to strengthening flood protection and drainage infrastructure while minimizing the impact of construction on residents' daily lives.

The Stormwater Drainage Engineering Section of Taipei HEO further explained that the completed lining will have a smooth interior surface that facilitates water flow, allowing the sewer to maintain its overall drainage capacity. Experience from actual projects in Japan indicates that spiral wound lining rehabilitation can effectively extend a sewer's service life by approximately 30 to 50 years, demonstrating the technique's considerable benefits. In recent years, Taipei City has actively implemented its Stormwater Sewer Service Life Extension Program, focusing on structural reinforcement of aging underground box culverts throughout the city.

Taipei HEO emphasized that the experience gained from this project will help refine and expand the application of this technology to future sewer rehabilitation projects across Taipei. These efforts will strengthen the structural integrity of the city's vital underground drainage network and contribute to building a flood-resilient city better equipped to withstand extreme weather events.

The Taipei Public Library New Main Library and Taipei Music Hall Construction Project, which received the Golden Stone Award and Top Prize in the Planning Division of the Outstanding Public Construction and Outstanding Space Revitalization category, will create a new cultural and educational landmark, the first of its kind to combine a concert hall and a library. The complex will feature a professional 1,500-seat vineyard-style concert hall and a dedicated performance space with natural acoustics designed for small chamber ensembles and traditional Chinese chamber music. It will also provide Taipei residents with a modern, smart, and digitally equipped central library featuring extensive book collections, study and discussion areas, open reading spaces, and vibrant social and recreational areas. Designed with environmental sustainability and energy efficiency in mind, the building will pursue Green Building certification. Through integrated planning and innovative architectural design, the complex will offer versatile spaces for a wide range of cultural activities.

The Huanggang River Revitalization Project, Section C: Revetment and Walkway Improvements (Yanshou Bridge to Sanhe Bridge), which received the Golden Stone Award and Top Prize in the Construction Division of the Outstanding Public Construction and Outstanding Space Revitalization category, is Taiwan's first project to reclaim land for a river through amendments to an urban plan. It represents not only a breakthrough in hydraulic engineering but also an important milestone in urban sustainability and ecological integration. Departing from the conventional three-sided concrete-lined channel design, Taipei HEO restored the Huanggang River to a more natural stream environment. The project also integrates nearby parks and green spaces to expand flood detention capacity, improves pedestrian accessibility, and introduces new walkways and multilayered planting to enhance walking safety. Together, these improvements create an urban waterfront that combines flood protection, ecological sustainability, and people-oriented recreational spaces.

Both award-winning projects demonstrate distinctive approaches to construction techniques and design while embracing “Low-Carbon Buildings, Sustainable Environments” as a long-term guiding principle. Looking ahead, Taipei HEO will continue to enhance the planning and construction of public works, maintaining its commitment to the highest standards of quality and striving for even greater recognition.

Yi-Hsi Chou, Commissioner of the Department for Youth, Taipei City Government, noted that Germany has a strong manufacturing foundation and a well-established system of collaboration among industry, academia, and research institutions. Centered on firsthand industry experience, the study tour introduced participants to Industry 4.0 and emerging industrial trends. In March 2026, Taipei and Dresden signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen bilateral cooperation. Building on this partnership, the study tour further deepened connections between the two cities through youth and talent exchanges. Through on-site visits and discussions, participants gained a better understanding of industrial technologies, workforce demands, and international market strategies while building valuable knowledge and experience in global industries.

According to the Department for Youth, the delegation visited W. Gessmann GmbH, a German company with nearly a century of history, to learn how established manufacturers continue to adopt new technologies and respond to evolving industry needs. At VON ARDENNE GmbH, headquartered in Dresden, participants explored vacuum coating technologies and their applications in the semiconductor industry. The delegation also visited SEYI Presses Europe GmbH, the European subsidiary of Taiwanese machinery manufacturer SEYI, gaining practical insights into how Taiwanese companies expand into Europe, respond to local customer needs, and develop their global supply chain strategies.

Another highlight of the study tour was its exploration of space technology, extending participants' perspectives beyond the manufacturing sector. The delegation visited the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) of the European Space Agency (ESA) and engaged in discussions with Roberto Palmari, Managing Director of IMS Space Consultancy GmbH. Participants learned about satellite missions, space mission operations, and related technological applications. These exchanges offered a closer look at how major space missions are carried out and highlighted the aerospace industry's demand for professionals with interdisciplinary expertise.

Beyond corporate visits, the delegation met with representatives of the City of Dresden to gain insights into the policy approaches supporting local industrial development. Steffen Rietzschel, Director of the Economic Development Office of the City of Dresden, shared how the city builds on its strengths in manufacturing, automation, and high-tech industries while connecting businesses, research institutions, and talent to advance its semiconductor industry. The delegation also visited Dresden University of Applied Sciences (HTW Dresden) and Technische Universität Dresden (TU Dresden) to engage with academic representatives. Visits to startup hubs and entrepreneurship centers further introduced participants to Germany's approaches to interdisciplinary research, technology transfer, and entrepreneurial support.

Throughout the study tour, the six participants drew on their diverse academic and professional backgrounds to engage with business leaders, researchers, and policy practitioners across various industries. From smart manufacturing and space technology to innovation and entrepreneurship, they gained firsthand industry insights and discovered new ways to connect their expertise with future career opportunities.

The Department for Youth stated that the six participants will share their insights into German industries, international exchange experiences, and career takeaways at the Showcase Event on October 24, 2026. Young people are invited to follow the official social media channels of the Department for Youth, Taipei City Government, to explore more opportunities in international industries and career development.

The courses cover a variety of topics, including the Labor Standards Act, workplace safety, prevention of workplace sexual harassment and workplace bullying, and analyses of labor-related court decisions. Topics vary from year to year to reflect emerging labor issues and learning needs. Workers and members of the public are welcome to explore and watch the courses through the links below.

Related Links

1.Online Video Courses on Labor Laws (Chinese)

2.Taipei City Labor University – Online Videos (Chinese)

The event will feature activities promoting low-carbon living and medication safety, as well as QCPR training and competition using CPR manikins. The Fire Department will also set up a disaster prevention experience area with booths covering electrical safety, lithium-ion battery safety, carbon monoxide poisoning prevention, gas safety, earthquake preparedness and emergency go-bag preparation, disaster prevention apps, volunteer firefighter recruitment and “Little Firefighter” activities, cooking fire safety and oil-pan fire extinguishing, first-aid training including CPR, AED operation, bandaging and bleeding control, and residential earthquake insurance. An earthquake simulation vehicle and a fire safety education vehicle will also arrive, providing participants with hands-on experiences to enhance their disaster preparedness and response skills.

The Fire Department reminds the public that fire safety precautions should be taken at home on a daily basis. For example, when cooking, always follow the principle of “Never Leave Cooking Unattended” and turn off the heat before leaving the cooking area. When using electrical appliances, the public should follow the “5 Don’ts and 1 No” principle: do not overload electrical circuits; do not bundle or use damaged electrical wires; do not leave electrical outlets continuously plugged in when unnecessary; do not use wet or dirty plugs; do not place combustible materials near electrical equipment; and do not purchase or use products without safety certification. These precautions can help reduce the risk of electrical fires. For residential buildings fewer than five stories in Taipei City, residents are also advised to install residential fire alarms in rooms such as bedrooms, living rooms, and kitchens. Because in the event of a fire, these alarms can provide an early warning and valuable time to residents, allowing them to flee the scene, report the fire, and even take initial firefighting measures, thereby reducing casualties and property losses. 

In recent years, lithium-ion batteries have been widely used in mobile devices, consumer electronics, electric vehicles and other products. With the battery usage on the rise, fire incidents caused by them have also become an important fire safety concern. The Fire Department reminds the public to purchase lithium-ion battery products that carry the required safety certification marks. While using and charging, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. To reduce the risk of lithium-ion battery fires, users should also avoid overcharging, over-discharging, banging, and crushing them.

The Fire Department emphasizes that disaster preparedness should be rooted in communities and incorporated into everyday life. Through regular learning and hands-on practice, residents can strengthen their ability to respond calmly and appropriately to disasters. The Fire Department sincerely invites the public to participate in the event and learn about disaster preparedness in a fun and engaging environment. By putting disaster preparedness into practice and strengthening their ability to help and support one another, citizens can work together to build a safer, more resilient, and more livable city.

Although the scorching summer has given way to autumn, pools can still be favorite spots for animals whenever daytime temperatures remain high. For animals, water is not just a place to cool off; it can also provide an important space for resting, playing, exploring their surroundings, and adding variety to their daily routines. Even in autumn, animals can choose for themselves whether to enter the water based on the temperature, sunlight, and their physical condition. The Asian elephants that moved to the African Animal Area earlier this year are experts at making the most of water. On pleasant days, they sometimes head into the pool together, sucking up water with their trunks and spraying it over their bodies. When they are having a particularly good time, they may even lie down completely, submerging their bodies until only the tops of their heads remain visible. They then extend their trunks above the water’s surface, looking as though they are using snorkels! After climbing out of the pool, the Asian elephants also like to scoop up sand and soil with their trunks and toss it over their bodies, helping protect their skin from the sun and keep cool. Sometimes, they suck up water and release it into a shallow depression beside the pool. They then use their trunks to mix the water and soil into mud before splashing it over themselves, completing an elephant’s very own “spa treatment.”

Asiatic black bears have their own “lounging philosophy.” They like to sit right in the pool and rest with their bodies immersed in the water. At times, they also explore along the flowing water in their habitat, where it resembles a small stream. When the bears sit comfortably in the water, they look as though they are enjoying a rare moment of relaxation in the autumn sunshine. Malayan tapirs in the Tropical Rainforest Area not only enjoy soaking in the water, sometimes they swim or even dive beneath the surface. Their distinctive black-and-white coloring blends with the shimmering water, making them surprisingly difficult to spot when they move around in the pool—as if they were “invisible” underwater. Visitors passing by the Malayan tapir habitat may take a closer look at the water; they might just spot a tapir gliding through it.

How animals use their surroundings varies with the seasons, weather conditions, and their individual circumstances. Although autumn brings gradually cooler weather, daytime temperatures can still be warm or even hot at times, and water features may remain places where animals choose to rest, cool off, or explore. When observing the animals, visitors can ask themselves, “Why has this animal chosen to stay here?” This simple question can help them better understand how animals make use of different features in their habitats, such as pools, vegetation, and mounds of soil.

Taipei Zoo invites everyone to make the most of the pleasant autumn weather by visiting the zoo, slowing down during their walk, and keeping an eye on the water features in the animal habitats. See which animals are the “regulars at the bathhouse” today—from elephants soaking in the water and black bears sitting in the pool to Malayan tapirs diving underwater—and snap your own collection of chill photos of animals enjoying their watery retreats this autumn!

The New Construction Office said the award-winning building project, the “New Construction Project for the General Teaching Building of Taipei Municipal Nangang Senior High School”, includes a new building with two underground parking levels and five above-ground floors for teaching spaces. The interior features regular classrooms, tiered classrooms, sheltered outdoor classrooms, seminar rooms, and other flexible learning spaces. Based on the concept of an “open campus and youth stage”, the project uses a double-skin facade to effectively reduce surrounding noise, while introducing south-facing daylight and airflow guidance to improve lighting and ventilation. It also incorporates green building concepts such as landscaped terraces and a rooftop garden, balancing ecology and energy conservation.

Another award-winning building project, the “New Construction Project for the Teaching Building of Taipei Municipal Heping High School”, takes the dove of peace from the school emblem as its design image, echoing the school’s educational ideals of “self-exploration”, “social care”, “global vision”, and “lifelong learning”. The main building has five above-ground floors, with 46 teaching spaces, including seven specialty classrooms, as well as administrative space and a library. It also includes a two-level underground public parking lot, providing 270 car parking spaces and 105 scooter parking spaces to ease parking pressure for nearby residents. The project combines aesthetic imagery, forward-looking educational functions, and local public benefits. It demonstrates outstanding spatial sustainability and creates shared prosperity between the school and the community.

The New Construction Office noted that seven civil engineering projects received awards. Among them, the “National Biotechnology Research Park Access Road Project” supports national biotechnology policy and the Eastern Gateway Project, connecting the National Biotechnology Research Park with the traffic route on Sec. 7, Zhongxiao E. Rd. The road passes through Zhongnan Mountain by tunnel and connects to Lane 130, Sec. 1, Academia Rd. on the south side. The road is about 824 meters long, including a tunnel section of about 716 meters. The access road used professional tunnel construction techniques to overcome difficult geological conditions, including extremely weak soft rock and very shallow overburden. A four-meter-wide independent space was also specially planned inside the tunnel, allowing pedestrians and cyclists to travel comfortably to and from Nangang Station for public transportation. The project puts green, low-carbon commuting into practice and successfully creates infrastructure that combines “convenient transportation” with “sustainable green energy”.

The “2023 Road Maintenance and Repair Scheduled Contract, Package 4” uses technology to develop a panoramic inspection vehicle for road inspections. Through image processing technology, defects can be reported in real time and road facilities can be surveyed, shortening administrative procedures and improving road maintenance efficiency. The project also creates a visualized management model, further improving road inspection and maintenance in the city and significantly enhancing traffic safety.

The “Songlong Road Pedestrian Environment Improvement Project in Xinyi District, Taipei City” extends from Sec. 1, Keelung Rd. in the west to Songshan Rd. in the east. Previously, the sidewalks on both sides were too narrow. In some sections, the clear sidewalk width was less than 0.9 meters, and facilities placed on the sidewalks also made walking inconvenient for pedestrians. Through this sidewalk widening project, along with measures such as setting pedestrian crossing lines back and adding accessible ramps, pedestrian space has been expanded. The project provides a safer and more comfortable walking environment for residents and has received positive feedback from local village chiefs and residents after completion.

The “2025 General Road Renewal Open Contract (Package 6) (Da’an and Wenshan Districts)” not only improves road pavement, but also incorporates people-oriented transportation concepts. The project completed the transformation of Pucheng Street into a pedestrian-friendly area, and further completed the Anju Street pedestrian environment improvement project proposed through the “Street Doctor” initiative. It helps resolve the problem of pedestrians and vehicles competing for road space and improves the accessible walking environment. In terms of pavement material improvement, the project also worked with Japanese technical personnel to pilot a new semi-rigid pavement method.

This not only improves road durability and extends service life, but also demonstrates the innovative application of construction technology and sustainability concepts through international exchange.

The “2025 General Road Renewal Open Contract (Package 4) (Neihu and Nangang Districts)” actively responds to policy goals such as net-zero carbon emissions, circular economy, and traffic safety. It also introduces innovative measures including warm-mix modified asphalt, cold-mix foamed recycled asphalt, high-performance dual-effect road markings, and carbon footprint inventory for road works. Through the integrated application of new methods, materials, and technologies, the project creates demonstration roads that combine quality, safety, low-carbon performance, and sustainable value. It also improves the visual harmony of the roadscape through colors, materials, and pavement forms, balancing functionality with urban streetscape aesthetics and showing a new model for Taipei’s road projects as they move from traditional maintenance management toward sustainable governance.

For the “2024 Taipei City Sidewalk Improvement Open Contract (Package 7)”, each site was custom-designed based on local conditions in response to growing awareness of people-oriented planning. The project team communicated with village chiefs and residents and integrated professional input from the Traffic Engineering Office, Hydraulic Engineering Office, Parking Management and Development Office, and pipeline agencies. Trench covers within the sidewalks were changed from checkered steel plates to lightweight decorative covers, improving slip resistance and making desilting and maintenance easier. In addition, when the sidewalks were widened, elevations were adjusted at the same time to create effective drainage slopes, and intercepting drains were added to reduce ponding and slippery surfaces, creating a smooth and accessible walking space. In addition, tactile warning facilities were fully installed at block intersections. Curbs use a 1:5 slope with precast anti-slip design, and drainage grates use fine mesh, making the environment friendlier for wheelchair users, visually impaired people, older adults, children, and people wearing high heels. These improvements effectively enhance the cityscape and public safety, gradually realizing the concept of people-oriented transportation.

The “2025 Disaster Emergency Repair and Disaster Prevention Works Open Contract (Package 3) (Neihu, Nangang, Songshan, and Xinyi)” is an open contract for disaster emergency repair. In addition to handling disaster-related works, it also supports typhoon emergency response and repair operations in Taipei City and other counties and cities, such as Hualien and Chiayi, during the flood season, successfully achieving disaster response goals. During emergency slope repair work at the entrance of Lane 204, Jiannan Rd., the project used two micropile machines at the same time to speed up construction and prevent secondary disasters. This stabilized the collapsed slope soil, reduced excavation disturbance, and lowered the risk of secondary collapse caused by construction vibration. Heated joint sealing and seal coat methods were also introduced. After construction, the road’s skid resistance coefficient and pavement condition index improved significantly, earning recognition from the village chief and residents.

The New Construction Office emphasized that winning nine Excellence Awards shows that Taipei City’s efforts to promote a smart city and people-oriented transportation have received solid recognition. Looking ahead, the New Construction Office will continue to uphold a spirit of innovation, integrating aesthetics, functionality, sustainability, and environmental protection to create a safer, more convenient, and more livable urban environment for Taipei residents.

Taipei Mayor Wan-An Chiang said at the completion ceremony that the restored Kawabata Bridge is not only a witness to history, but also incorporates the concepts of green mobility and people-oriented transportation in modern urban development. The new bridge deck successfully links the bicycle and pedestrian routes of Taipei City and New Taipei City. In the future, whether residents are walking or cycling, they will be able to cross the Xindian River in a safer and more comfortable space. Kawabata Bridge has successfully transformed into a new landmark that combines transportation, recreation, and historical education. Residents of Taipei and New Taipei are welcome to come and experience it together.

The New Construction Office said that to address the bridge’s previous insufficient flood protection height, the project demonstrated highly challenging engineering techniques while preserving the cultural heritage asset, raising the entire bridge structure and comprehensively improving flood protection standards. In addition, the project fully preserved the highly representative “double-column arched piers” and “steel girder structure” from the Japanese colonial period. The construction team also created retro-style railings based on the bridge’s original proportions, allowing residents to feel as if they are walking through a time tunnel and perfectly recreating the elegance of the past.

The New Construction Office noted that the restored Kawabata Bridge shows a completely different charm at night. The project team planned refined landscape lighting and installed projection lights on the old piers of Kawabata Bridge. The soft glow not only outlines the lines of the historic structure, but also cleverly casts light onto the steel girders of the new Zhongzheng Bridge, creating a layered visual effect in which the old and new bridges complement each other. At the same time, the grand openwork arch ribs of the parallel new Zhongzheng Bridge, highlighted by landscape lighting, resemble metal strings stretching across the river, creating a poetic “string imagery” design. At night, the lights and shadows of the two bridges intertwine with reflections on the river, making the site one of the most eye-catching golden night-view photo spots in Taipei and New Taipei.

The New Construction Office added that while overcoming the technical challenge of raising the bridge for flood protection, the project also puts the concepts of “people-oriented transportation” and a “green city” into practice. The restoration and opening of Kawabata Bridge not only successfully brings a historic and cultural asset into modern urban life, but also improves the green mobility network of Taipei City and New Taipei City, helping Taipei become a more livable, aesthetically rich, and resilient sustainable city.

According to the Department for Youth, Taipei City Government, the international interns presented four municipal research outcomes this year: strengthening urban tourism marketing by leveraging the economic impacts of Taipei Dome concerts along with urban branding; incorporating semiconductor-related topics into educational curricula to increase young people’s understanding of the technology industry; enhancing career exploration and workplace experiences in senior high school curricula to narrow the gap between academia and industry; and optimizing the user interface of the U-Sport app to make it senior-friendly, thus encouraging senior citizens to remain physically active. Through research and interviews, each group incorporated experiences from their home cities into their analysis and offered their perspectives and insights on Taipei’s municipal administration.

At the conclusion of the program, a municipal research presentation was held and chaired by Deputy Mayor Yi-Hua Lin, bringing together representatives from relevant city government departments, including the Department of Information and Tourism, Department of Economic Development, Department of Education, Department of Labor, Department of Social Welfare, Department of Health, and Department of Sports, for discussions with the interns. Regarding semiconductor talent development, the Department of Economic Development and Department of Education shared strategies for enhancing industrial development, vocational education, and talent cultivation. The Department of Labor discussed the transition from school to work from the perspective of the job market and youth career choices. As for senior-friendly exercise, discussions extended to the actual exercise needs of senior citizens, the use of the Senior EasyCard, exercise prescriptions, and other related policies. Deputy Mayor Lin recognized the interns’ international perspectives on Taipei and encouraged young people to consider policy costs, implementation feasibility, and cross-departmental collaboration when developing policy proposals, so that their research outcomes could be meaningfully connected with municipal practice.

Angela, an intern from Harvard University in the United States, said that the internship taught her how to transform observations about a city into policy proposals. Through tourism research and discussions with city government officials, she realized that policy proposals need to balance creativity with existing resources, data privacy, and implementation costs. After participating in an exchange at Songshan Cultural and Creative Park, she also began thinking about how immersive experiences could be combined with cultural content to enhance Taiwan’s global tourism appeal. Local interns added that interacting and discussing ideas with international students helped them learn to introduce Taipei from different perspectives and rediscover the city they had long been familiar with. In this way, international exchange became a journey of mutual learning and understanding.

In addition to municipal research, the international youth experienced everyday life in Taipei, such as rowing dragon boats during the Dragon Boat Festival, watching a baseball game at Taipei Dome, and taking on a cultural challenge at Shilin Night Market. This year, the Department for Youth, Taipei City Government, also partnered with the National Palace Museum and Songshan Cultural and Creative Park to facilitate cross-disciplinary exchanges between international and local youth. The artifacts and exhibitions at the National Palace Museum as well as group brainstorming for creative tourism proposals at Songshan Cultural and Creative Park allowed youth from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds to come up with new ideas and perspectives.

Commissioner Yi-Hsi Chou of the Department for Youth, Taipei City Government, stated that the value of international exchange lies in giving young people opportunities to step into each other’s cities and lives. During the eight-week internship, international youth gained a deeper understanding of Taipei through municipal research, while local youth had the opportunity to exchange ideas with students from different countries. “We hope that every young intern will gain valuable internship experience in Taipei, discover different cultures, make new friends, and build lasting cross-cultural friendships and memories connected to the city,” Commissioner Chou said. Moving forward, the Department for Youth, Taipei City Government, will continue to expand international partnerships and create more opportunities for local youth to connect with the world.

Sloths are currently classified into two families comprising six species worldwide: Hoffmann’s two-toed sloth, Linnaeus’s two-toed sloth, the pygmy three-toed sloth, the maned three-toed sloth, the pale-throated three-toed sloth, and the brown-throated three-toed sloth. Taipei Zoo cares for Linnaeus’s two-toed sloths. True to their name, they have two curved claws on each forelimb and three claws on each hind leg.

Linnaeus’s two-toed sloths are found in South America, where they primarily inhabit tropical rainforests. In the wild, they spend most of their time hanging from trees. They can carry out almost all their activities in the trees, including feeding, sleeping, mating, and even raising their young, and rarely descend from the canopy to the ground. Sloths feed on plant matter that is relatively low in energy density, and have evolved a lifestyle characterized by a low metabolic rate and low energy expenditure. By limiting their activity, they conserve energy. Their slow movements are therefore not simply a sign of laziness, but a survival strategy closely linked to their diet, metabolism, and habitat.

Unlike monkeys, sloths cannot easily cross large stretches of open ground. They rely heavily on the forest canopy, and algae often grow on their long, grayish-brown fur, giving it a greenish tinge that helps camouflage them among the trees. For sloths, the forest is more than just a habitat—it is their home and essential to their survival. When forests are fragmented by roads, farmland, or urban development, the gaps between trees can become wider, making it more difficult for sloths to move around safely.

In recent years, tropical rainforests have continued to face development pressures and habitat loss, depriving sloths of the trees they depend on for survival. As forests become fragmented into isolated patches, sloths face greater risks when they have to descend from the trees. Whether they are moving to another patch of forest, searching for new trees to inhabit, or even coming down to the ground to defecate, they become more vulnerable to human-related threats, including being struck by vehicles. Their gentle nature and appealing appearance also make sloths vulnerable to illegal wildlife trade and demand from the exotic pet market.

As International Sloth Day approaches, Taipei Zoo invites everyone to join the sloth pop-up educational sessions on October 17, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Field Station in the Tropical Rainforest Pangolin House. Through these sessions, visitors can learn more about sloths’ behavior and the challenges they face, and join us in helping protect these animals and the environments they depend on.

Protecting rainforests means protecting not only sloths, but also the ecosystems that sustain countless forms of life. Forests provide habitats for wildlife and play vital roles in regulating the global climate, maintaining water cycles, and supporting biodiversity. Our everyday purchasing decisions can also affect forests. We can take simple “green actions” to help protect sloths and their habitats, such as choosing wood and paper products from sustainable sources, reducing the use of single-use products, avoiding food waste, cutting back on unnecessary consumption, and refusing to buy wild animals or wildlife products from unknown sources. By wasting less and making more informed, responsible choices, we can make conservation not just something that happens in protected areas, but part of our everyday lives. International Sloth Day is an opportunity to look beyond sloths’ adorable appearance, recognize their ecological roles and the challenges they face, and understand that conservation is closer to us than we might think.

A friendly reminder: Linnaeus’s two-toed sloths are nocturnal. During the day, they usually rest in trees or tucked-away corners, but they may occasionally move along or sleep on the handrails beside visitor pathways. Please enjoy observing them up close, but remember not to touch them. A sleepy sloth that gets disturbed might show its displeasure by reaching out with its sharp claws!

Class times:

Session 1: October 14, 2026, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM (Registration deadline: 10/12)

Session 2: October 27, 2026, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM (Registration deadline: 10/22)

Session 3: November 10, 2026, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM (Registration deadline: 11/5)

Class location: Taipei City Labor Bureau Second Office, 6F Workers' Classroom (6F, No. 101 Mengxia Blvd., Wanhua District, Taipei)

This course meets the training requirements specified in Articles 18(1)(1), (2), (3), (10), (11), (13) of the Occupational Safety and Health Education and Training Rules.

To register, please visit the Taipei City Government Labor Bureau official website/Online Event Registration page

Search for course name: Year 2026 Month/Date Occupational Safety and Health Promotion Seminar.

Don't miss the opportunity—register quickly!

Source: Industry and Business Division of the Department of Economic Development, Taipei City Government

Unlike frozen fruit treats prepared for other animals, an elephant’s frozen snack cannot exactly be measured out in ordinary cups or buckets! Keepers combined ingredients such as carrots, sweet potatoes, purple sweet potatoes, longans, and bananas to create a giant fruit-and-vegetable ice block. It was so large that they had to push it on a cart to deliver it to Chian-Hui. Faced with the enormous block of ice, which concealed a tasty assortment of food, Chian-Hui initially tried to break it apart by stepping on it. However, the block was so hard and slippery that a single stomp was not enough. Specially prepared for the elephant, the ice block was frozen solid and had a smooth surface. Chian-Hui lifted her massive foot to hold the block in place and repeatedly stomped on it until she finally broke it into smaller pieces. She then used her trunk to pick up the pieces and bring them to her mouth. Despite her imposing size, Chian-Hui turned out to be a surprisingly careful eater when it came to her icy treat. Rather than gobbling it down, she took her time and enjoyed it in small bites. After all, the treat was extremely cold, and eating too quickly might leave even her trunk feeling the chill!

African elephants have natural physiological mechanisms that help them cope with changes in environmental temperature. In hot weather, they flap their large ears to increase airflow around them. The dense network of blood vessels in their ears also helps transfer heat from the body to the surface of the ears, where it can be released into the surrounding air. When temperatures are lower, elephants flap their ears less frequently or hold them close to their bodies to reduce heat loss. In addition to cooling themselves through their ears, African elephants spray water, sand, or mud over their bodies. Mud not only provides protection from direct sunlight but also helps retain moisture on the skin, prolonging its cooling and sun-protective effects. The specially prepared frozen treats provided by the animal care team offer more than just variety in food flavors and textures. Because the animals must work out how to retrieve the ingredients frozen inside the ice, these treats also extend feeding time, provide additional sensory stimulation, and encourage exploratory foraging. They give the animals opportunities to display natural behaviors, explore their surroundings, and solve problems, making their daily routines more varied. Such opportunities are an important component of behavioral enrichment.

Animal care is adjusted according to the season, weather conditions, and each animal’s individual needs. Even in autumn, when daytime temperatures remain high, keepers continue to monitor the animals and provide appropriate cooling measures and food-based enrichment when needed. For an African elephant, a giant fruit-and-vegetable ice block is more than just a refreshing autumn treat. It is also a “foraging challenge” that calls for problem-solving, some serious footwork, and the clever use of a highly versatile trunk.

Time: 9:30-12:00

Date: Oct. 22, 2026

Venue: Meeting room 206, 2F , North Wing, Taipei City Hall

The DOF explained that the project site is located in a prime area of Zhongshan District, adjacent to Liaoning Park and just a three-minute walk from Nanjing Fuxing MRT Station, where two MRT lines intersect. With convenient transportation and well-established commercial amenities, the site offers a high-quality residential environment that combines urban convenience with tranquility. The site covers 1,063 square meters, of which 81.66% is municipally owned land. Following renewal, one 16-story building above ground with four basement levels, constructed using a steel-reinforced concrete (SRC) structure, is planned for residential and commercial use. The total gross floor area will exceed 2,400 ping, and the estimated total sales value will exceed NT$2.4 billion. The project also includes a “site expansion mechanism.” THURC and the investor will actively work to integrate neighboring privately owned land, with the aim of expanding the development to the entire block, covering 1,874 square meters. By bringing together the efforts of the executor, investor, and private landowners, the project seeks to create shared benefits, improve the design of the building and public spaces, and shape a new urban landscape.

DOF Commissioner Hu Hsiao-lan said that the project is guided by the concept of “Shared Living, Urban Greenery, and All-Age Care.” It aims to obtain Gold-level EEWH and Gold-level Smart Building certifications, achieve Low-Carbon Building status and a Building Energy Efficiency Rating of 1+, and incorporate a rooftop garden and vertical greenery to extend the green landscape of Liaoning Park and create an urban green gem in harmony with nature. The project also requires the architectural design to comply with the requirements of the disaster-prevention-oriented detailed plan, actively advancing the policy vision of a “Resilient and Livable City.” In addition, the investor plans to donate a community center, while the city government will allocate part of the space received in return for Happiness Housing, creating a residential environment that supports marriage, family formation, and child-raising, while strengthening community services.

Finally, the DOF stated that the TCG is actively revitalizing city-owned assets, and the department has spared no effort in promoting government-led urban renewal projects on large parcels of city-owned land. Of the 16 projects promoted to date, seven have been completed, three are under construction, and investor selection has been completed for three. The remaining projects are undergoing reviews of urban renewal business plans and preparations for investor solicitation. With substantial progress already achieved, the city government expects to launch another government-led urban renewal project in Linyi Section in Zhongzheng District in collaboration with THURC by the end of this year. The TCG sincerely invites high-quality teams from the industry to participate in the bidding and work together through public-private collaboration to create a brighter future for urban regeneration.

In the past, anesthesia and physical restraint by human handlers were often essential when animals needed medical examinations or other necessary procedures. However, advances in animal behavior science, veterinary medicine, and animal care techniques, combined with the practical experience zookeepers have accumulated over the years, have enabled zoos to increasingly adopt training methods based on positive reinforcement. Through this approach, animals gradually become familiar with medical equipment, examination procedures, and routine care, and learn to cooperate voluntarily. This change is about much more than simply “avoiding anesthesia.” It reflects a shift in animal care philosophy: rather than focusing on how to carry out a procedure when a medical need arises, zookeepers build cooperative relationships with animals through everyday interactions, enabling them to participate in medical care in familiar and predictable settings.

In modern zoos, the purpose of animal training is no longer to perform for audiences as in the past, but rather to serve as a vital tool for animal care, health management, and welfare enhancement. Utilizing behavioral science and positive reinforcement, zookeepers break down medical procedures into steps that animals can comprehend and accept, helping them grow accustomed to each process through repeated practice. For example, animals can learn to voluntarily step onto a scale, open their mouths for dental exams, extend a paw or limb for blood draws or injections, practice entering transport crates, or even lie still for diagnostic imaging.

When animals can participate voluntarily, stress during medical procedures can be reduced, and the need for physical restraint and anesthesia can be minimized. More importantly, veterinarians and zookeepers can continue monitoring animals’ health and noticing subtle changes in their condition as part of their daily routines. This helps shift medical care from emergency intervention toward ongoing monitoring and preventive care. Although these actions may appear simple, they require zookeepers to provide consistent, meticulous training over an extended period.

Taipei Zoo’s giant panda care team continues to integrate behavioral training into healthcare routines. With guidance from their keepers, the giant pandas cooperate with preventive healthcare procedures, including blood pressure measurements, blood sampling, injections, and toothbrushing. Through training, they have also learned to lie down and hold specific positions for X-rays and ultrasound examinations. The care team has even used training to help Yuan Yuan, an elderly giant panda, undergo laser therapy for spinal care. By enabling the pandas to cooperate with veterinarians and keepers during examinations, training makes it easier to monitor changes in their health. This not only improves the efficiency of their care but also helps reduce stress and associated risks.

Animal training also helps care teams monitor the physiological condition of pregnant animals. For example, to enable veterinarians to perform prenatal examinations on orangutans, zookeepers train these intelligent and powerful animals to hold their limbs in specific positions and bring their abdomens close to an examination window in the enclosure. This allows veterinarians to perform ultrasound examinations safely. Prenatal examinations of large animals such as Malayan tapirs also depend on their cooperation. Drawing on animal care practices from zoos around the world, zookeepers build trust with Malayan tapirs through grooming. As the tapirs gradually relax and lie down during brushing, zookeepers introduce desensitization training to help them become familiar with ultrasound probes and other examination procedures. This enables the tapirs to lie down and remain in position voluntarily, allowing veterinarians to complete abdominal ultrasound scans and monitor their pregnancies.

Over the past 40 years, Taipei Zoo has continued to evolve from asking “How do we manage animals?” to asking “How do we work with animals?” On World Animal Day and International Zookeeper Day, as we turn our attention to animals, we should also recognize the zookeepers who work quietly behind the scenes. By observing even the smallest changes in animals’ behavior and health, and through long-term care and training, zookeepers gradually build trust and help animals receive routine care and medical treatment more safely and comfortably. Visitors may see only a few minutes of this work, but behind those moments are the patience and expertise that zookeepers demonstrate day after day. These everyday efforts that often go unnoticed play an important role in protecting animal health and promoting animal welfare in modern zoos.

Smoking is only allowed in designated smoking areas around Exits 2 and 3 of MRT Taipei City Hall Station.

The Hakka Voice Awards recognize the outstanding contributions of Hakka radio professionals and independent creators, encouraging the production of high-caliber Hakka audio content. The two-time award winner, Noblen Association, takes its name from a phonetic play on the English phrase “no problem.” Hosted by Ying-Jen Li, the show is tailored specifically for teenagers as an engaging, situational legal program presented in Hakka, combining education and entertainment.

Noblen Association’s strength stems from a dual-track storytelling model that seamlessly merges “audio drama” with “situational legal analysis,” breaking away from traditional, formulaic legal instruction. With a keen eye for everyday observation, host Ying-Jen Li transforms relatable youth legal scenarios into compelling stories. Legal experts featured on the program further break down complex concepts into accessible insights, guiding young listeners from “empathizing with real-life situations” to “understanding the law,” and ultimately helping them build legal literacy and self-protection skills for daily life.

Reflecting on this consecutive win, host Ying-Jen Li shared: “I’m deeply grateful to the judges for recognizing us two years in a row, and especially thankful to TBS for giving us the creative freedom to present serious legal knowledge to young audiences through Hakka in such a vibrant and relatable way. This honor belongs to our entire production team, and we’ll keep using creative audio storytelling to guide and support our listeners through everyday life.”

Shao-Chien Hu, Director of TBS, emphasized the station’s ongoing dedication to promoting multiculturalism and ethnic languages, as well as its strong focus on delivering innovative, high-quality programming for children and youth. Winning the award for two years in a row stands as both a testament to the production team’s exceptional quality and a meaningful recognition of the program’s value in advancing legal education.

Noblen Association airs every Saturday from 13:00 to 13:30. Listeners can tune in to TBS on FM 93.1 and AM 1134. Listeners can also access on-demand episodes from the past year via the “T Radio” online radio platform (https://tradio.gov.taipei/). For the latest show updates, visit the official TBS Facebook fan page (https://www.facebook.com/FM93.1AM1134/?locale=zh_TW)Noblen Association received recognition at the 5th Hakka Voice Awards for its production excellence in revitalizing the Hakka language and advancing youth education.

The TCG Employee Assistance Program (EAP) encompasses counseling services, counseling and management consulting for troubled employees, organizing of EAP workshops, organizing of mental health promotion courses, training of support workers in each agency, book loans on mental and spiritual growth, on-site psychiatric clinics, connection and referral to other resources (e.g. Mental Health Center, legal advice, healthcare services, debt negotiation counseling), and so on.

This designation is made in accordance with Paragraph 1, Subparagraph 4 of Article 19 of the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act.

Violators will be subject to a fine ranging from NTD 2,000 to NTD 10,000, as stipulated in Paragraph 2 of Article 40 of the aforementioned Act. 

White rhinos are enormous animals, and even when their old and new habitats are relatively close to each other, relocation requires careful advance planning. The process involves coordinating the animals’ movements, arranging for the transport crates to be lifted, and planning vehicle routes. To minimize potential stress during transportation, keepers regularly incorporate husbandry training into daily care routines, gradually familiarizing the rhinos with procedures such as entering transport crates. On moving day, both Xi-Chun and Xi-Wang entered their crates promptly under the guidance of their keepers, and the transfer proceeded smoothly. Upon arriving at their new home, Xi-Chun was more cautious in the unfamiliar surroundings. She remained outside for a while to observe the new environment before entering the indoor area, while Xi-Wang entered the indoor space more quickly. Meanwhile, giraffes in a nearby backstage area stretched their necks to look toward the rhinos, unexpectedly becoming curious onlookers during this “heavyweight move.”

The new habitat was already home to an elderly female white rhino named “Xi-Ni,” who is 44 years and 2 months old. Although white rhinos can exhibit social behaviors, whether individual animals can live together depends on several factors, including age, sex, individual relationships, and environmental conditions. Therefore, the three rhinos will not be introduced to one another for group living immediately. Keepers will continue to monitor how Xi-Chun and Xi-Wang adapt to their new surroundings, as well as how all three rhinos interact with one another. Depending on their adjustment and interactions, keepers may arrange for the rhinos to take turns using the habitat or gradually introduce them for possible cohabitation. This approach allows each animal to become familiar with its new environment at its own pace.

This relocation is also part of a broader rearrangement of habitats in the zoo’s African Animal Area. The Mountain Bongos’ indoor quarters are located next to the white rhinos’ former habitat and are scheduled for renovation in 2027. As construction noise, vibrations, and the movement of personnel and equipment may disturb the animals, the zoo is making adjustments to habitat use in advance. The plan is to temporarily move the bongos into the former white rhino habitat during the renovation. Xi-Chun and Xi-Wang’s new home is now located in the African Animal Area, near the African lions and African spurred tortoises. Visitors hoping to see the two white rhinos should make sure to head to their new location. Please note that viewing arrangements may be adjusted depending on the animals’ adaptation and ongoing care and management needs.

Giant pandas naturally inhabit mountain forests and prefer cool environments. Taipei’s summers are hot and humid, so during periods of high temperatures, the giant pandas at Taipei Zoo spend most of their time in air-conditioned indoor habitats. As summer draws to a close and the weather gradually cools into autumn, the animal care team continues to monitor temperature and weather conditions to determine when the outdoor habitat can be used. For giant pandas, sensory experiences in the outdoor habitat—including the sound of wind rustling bamboo leaves, the scents of grass and vegetation, and the changing patterns of sunlight throughout the day—make the environment feel a little different each day. The pandas can rest in different spots, climb on their structures, move across the grass, and explore their surroundings, giving them more opportunities for activity and a wider range of behavioral choices.

Before the outdoor habitat can be used again, zookeepers must complete a series of preparations. From inspecting climbing structures and trimming vegetation to cleaning pools and checking safety barriers, every area where the pandas might walk, climb, or rest must be carefully inspected. Preparations for the outdoor habitat are now complete, and the team is waiting for suitable weather conditions before the pandas venture outside. However, a fully prepared habitat does not mean the pandas will go outdoors every day. The care team will determine when the pandas can go outside and which individuals will have access to the habitat based on daily weather conditions, including temperature and rainfall, as well as each panda’s health. Even on days when outdoor access is not scheduled, visitors can still observe the pandas in their indoor habitats.

If you happen to spot a giant panda in the outdoor habitat during your visit, it will be like discovering a special seasonal surprise at the zoo. Why not become a “Giant Panda Observer” with your children? See where the panda chooses to rest, how it uses the climbing structures, and which corners of the grass or vegetation it ventures into. These seemingly ordinary choices are part of how giant pandas interact with their environment, offering families a fun opportunity to observe animal behavior together.

The Fire Department notes that common causes of kitchen fires include leaving the kitchen temporarily while cooking, forgetting to turn off the heat source, or elderly people forgetting that food is still being heated. These situations can cause food to burn or ignite grease accumulated in range hoods and exhaust ducts or other combustible materials nearby. In addition, spilled soup or liquids may extinguish the flame, resulting in an unnoticed gas leak. If a fire is not detected promptly, flames can quickly spread via grease-laden exhaust ducts, potentially causing serious property damage and casualties.

To enhance household and cooking safety, the Fire Department urges the public to follow the following “Complete Kitchen Fire Safety Guide”:

1.    Turn Off the Burner When You Leave: When cooking, always turn off the heat source before leaving the kitchen, even if you only need to walk away briefly.

2.    Choose Safer Cooking Equipment: Consider using a gas stove equipped with automatic flame shut-off or dry-boil/overheating protection. A gas supply timer can also be installed to automatically cut off the gas supply after a preset period has passed, reducing the risk of fires caused by forgetting to turn off the stove or prolonged heating.

3.    Clean Grease Regularly: Grease accumulated in range hoods and exhaust ducts can serve as highly combustible fuel. Clean and maintain these areas regularly to prevent grease from being ignited when exposed to heat.

4.    Keep Combustibles Away from the Stove: Do not place paper, plastic bags, cooking oil, or other combustible materials around the stove.

5.    Install Residential Fire Alarms: A fixed-temperature residential fire alarm is recommended to install in kitchens to provide early warning when the ambient temperature is rising abnormally.

If a cooking-oil fire occurs, the Fire Department advises the public to quickly cover the pan with a lid, turn off the gas supply, and leave it undisturbed to cool. Never pour water onto an oil fire, as the encounter between boiling oil and cold water can trigger violent splattering and fuel the flames. For more information on disaster preparedness and household safety, please visit the Taipei Disaster Prevention Immediately Go website:

Annual certification ceremony for foster families in Taipei City, bearing witness to the unwavering commitment of foster families to protecting children

The Taipei City team and Caring for the Future Together with Parents

Mayor Chiang Wan-an publicly commended certified institutions, for partnering with the city government to create gender-friendly environments

Opening ceremony of the “Mutual Prosperity and Love on the Double Ninth Festival” press conference

The Formosan hare (Lepus sinensis formosus) is an endemic subspecies of the Chinese hare (Lepus sinensis) found in Taiwan. It has a slender body and powerful hind legs, which enable it to make rapid leaps and flee when threatened. Its short fur is yellowish-brown with irregular darker markings. Formosan hares are found throughout Taiwan. Their habitats include mountains, hills, coastal areas, and even cultivated land subject to frequent human activity. They can often be spotted in grasslands near shrubs or forests. Hares (Lepus) are entirely different from the familiar domestic rabbits kept as pets. Domestic rabbits were domesticated over many generations from the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) dig burrows for shelter, and their young are altricial, meaning they are born with little to no fur and are almost entirely dependent on their mothers for survival. In contrast, Formosan hare leverets are born precocial, meaning they already have fur and are able to move around shortly after birth. Unlike European rabbits, wild hares generally do not dig burrows to build nests. Instead, they use existing hollows, rock crevices, and shallow depressions in grasslands for shelter and concealment. Mother hares also leave their young in safe, grassy hiding places, with mothers and leverets hiding separately from one another.

Taiwan Rabbit Rescue Association, which has long supported wild hare rescue and post-release tracking, noted that most brought in for rescue Formosan hares are leverets discovered because human activities disturbed their habitat and scared away the mother. Others were brought to rescue agencies due to injuries or because citizens mistook them for domestic pet rabbits. If a lone, healthy-looking leveret is spotted in the wild, it does not mean it has been abandoned by its mother. People should leave it where it is and walk away quietly. Please do not inadvertently "kidnap" wild animals, which prevents mother hares from retrieving their young.

Formosan hares in the wild continue to face threats such as habitat loss, roadkill, attacks by free-roaming animals, and human disturbance. The two male Formosan hares now living at Taipei Zoo were both rescued as leverets in the wild, one in Guanxi, Hsinchu, and the other in Erlun, Yunlin. One of the hares had sustained serious injuries and required frequent wound debridement and ongoing care during rehabilitation. After a period of treatment and recovery, an assessment determined that it was unlikely to survive if released back into its natural habitat. It was therefore brought to Taipei Zoo, where it now serves as an ambassador for the ex-situ conservation of Taiwan’s native wildlife. Hares are particularly sensitive to environmental changes. Taipei Zoo therefore reminds visitors to keep their voices down during their visit and help provide a calm, safe environment where the animals can live in peace.

                                                      Issuing Unit: Animal Management Division

Date of Issue: September 8, 2026

Time of Issue: 14:30

Contact Person: Chen Wei-Lun, Division Chief

Contact No.: (02) 8789-7129, 0975663050

Taipei City Subsidies for Pet Dog and Cat Neutering and Pet Insurance Still Available! Last Chance Before Year-End—Apply Now!

To encourage pet registration and rabies vaccination this year (2026), the Taipei City Animal Protection Office has raised the pet dog and cat neutering subsidy to up to NT$2,000 and expanded pet insurance subsidies up to NT$3,000 for non-adopted pets. As of the end of August, neutering subsidy quotas remains available, while pet insurance subsidies are now limited to pets adopted from the Taipei Animal Shelter. Eligible owners are urged to apply promptly with the Office or submit applications online via Taipei Service before quotas run out.

The Animal Protection Office noted that due to higher subsidy amounts this year, pet dog and cat neutering applications have surged, with funds expected to be used up by late November. With limited quotas remaining, owners are urged to have their pets neutered and apply without delay. The public are reminded that the Animal Protection Act requires pet owners to complete pet registration and neutering. To be eligible for this year’s pet dog and cat neutering subsidy, or the pet insurance subsidy for animals adopted from the Taipei Animal Shelter, owners must also complete pet registration and a rabies vaccination within the past year to support disease prevention.

The Animal Protection Office added that rabies is a zoonotic disease with a fatality rate near 100% once clinical signs appear. Although nationwide regulations have exempted strictly indoor cats from mandatory annual rabies vaccination, provided they are kept in secure carriers without physical exposure or risk of escape when outdoors, domestic cats remain a designated species required to be vaccinated under the Act on the Prevention and Control of Infectious Animal Diseases. Owners wishing to administer booster shots may use the Office’s annual free rabies vaccination services held in cooperation with the private sector. For rabies details and event schedules, visit TCAPO’s dedicated rabies prevention webpage.(https://www.tcapo.gov.taipei/cp.aspx?n=9057309941FFFA22)

表格標題

Figure 1: Pet Dog and Cat Neutering Subsidy Poster	Figure 2: Pet Insurance Subsidy Poster
Figure 3: Pet Cats Must Complete Rabies Vaccination to Apply for Subsidies

The New Construction Office said the project is divided into three parts: the “New Vocational Training Building” on the north side, and the “Vocational Experience and Continuing Education Hall” and “University of Taipei Dormitory” on the south side. The design concept brings the greenery of the Yangmingshan mountain range east of the site into the campus. By setting the buildings back to create a corner plaza and open spaces, the project forms an urban green corridor that is both practical and sustainable.

The New Construction Office explained that the “New Vocational Training Building” is vertically organized by vocational training category. Outdoor colorful staircases and open, transparent large balconies make the building space more inviting, create a distinctive architectural character, and reflect the diverse, open, and inclusive spirit of Taipei City Vocational Development Institute. The floors of the “Vocational Experience and Continuing Education Hall” connect multi-level open spaces with direct outdoor stairways. Its fair-faced concrete exterior echoes the low-saturation facade of the neighboring teaching building, giving it a friendly, understated, and composed character. The balconies in each unit of the “University of Taipei Dormitory” extend the indoor space into semi-outdoor areas, creating green spaces for interaction and exchange. In addition, the stepped-back design on the east side of the building allows students to look out toward Yangmingshan and enjoy the beauty of nature.

The New Construction Office noted that once completed, the project will provide Taipei City Vocational Development Institute with a more complete training environment. It will become an ideal place for Taipei to train students, strengthen their employment competitiveness, and promote a wide range of skills, creating a new public space that combines empowerment, learning, daily life, and sustainability.

To celebrate the calf's one-month milestone, the keepers prepared a refreshing, juicy watermelon. The brown-and-white striped tapir calf posed alongside the yellow-and-green striped watermelon, creating an amusing "pair of melons"—one brown and one green—for a memorable photo. Afterwards, the watermelon was shared by the mother and calf. At first, the little tapir merely sniffed the watermelon and cautiously touched it with her mouth. Only after the keepers cut the watermelon open and her mother, Putri, took several big bites did the calf begin tasting the pieces of fruit that had fallen to the ground, tentatively sampling the watermelon for the first time. The one-month celebration thus became a joyful moment of sharing a tasty treat between mother and daughter.

The calf is currently covered with white spots and stripes, making her look just like a dark brown watermelon. This distinctive coat pattern helps newborn Malayan tapir calves stay hidden in the wild. Before long, her coat will begin changing around the rump, and over the following months it will gradually transform into the adult coloration of a black front and white hindquarters, changing from looking like a watermelon hidden among the bushes to resembling a rock beside a stream. Keepers recently noticed that the calf has begun teething. In addition to nursing, she has started following her mother to explore and nibble on branches and leaves, and has also been observed eating leafy vegetables. Exploring food alongside her mother not only satisfies her curiosity but also helps her gradually learn about her surroundings and the foods she will eat as she grows. For now, the calf remains in the zoo's off-exhibit animal care area, please stay tuned to the zoo's baby animal updates for more news about her growth.

The HEO noted that the area around Guting Riverside Park once played an important role in supplying water to Taipei. Drawing on this historical connection, the HEO incorporated the familiar physical states of water, solid, liquid, and gas, into the design of the playground equipment and ground surfaces. Stepping into the playground is like entering a living picture book of science and nature, where children can experience the wonders of the natural world through running, jumping, and climbing.

The first feature visitors encounter is the Cloud Landscape Play Structure, representing water in its gaseous state. The structure features a soft, whimsical palette inspired by blue skies and white clouds, with varying shades of blue set against pure white landscape elements, as though clouds had drifted down from the sky and settled on the riverside lawn. Slides at different heights and woven rope nets create a multi-level play environment where children can move freely between the cloud-inspired structures and enjoy exploring at different heights.

Nearby is the Ripple Landscape Play Area, representing water in its liquid state. Colorful, durable safety surfacing forms concentric ripples across the ground, evoking the patterns created when a drop of water hits the surface. At the center of the ripples are three in-ground trampolines sure to delight young visitors. As children bounce up and down, their movements resemble splashes dancing across the rippling water, capturing the carefree energy of childhood.

The greatest physical challenge, however, comes from the Ice Crystal Climbing Frame, representing water in its solid state. Inspired by the geometric beauty of snowflakes and ice crystals, its silvery structure and angular lines shimmer with a cool brilliance beneath the summer sun. For adventurous and curious children, the climbing frame puts coordination and balance to the test as they use both hands and feet to navigate its intersecting structure. Every step upward presents a new challenge, with reaching the top bringing the confidence and satisfaction that make childhood adventures so memorable.

As the sun begins to set, the banks of the Xindian River are bathed in a warm golden glow. Parents and children can sit together on the terraced viewing steps, looking downstream over the shimmering river and changing clouds while enjoying the tranquility of sunset. After dark, the park takes on a romantic atmosphere. The well-known "Four Layers of Wishes" heart-shaped archway installation and globe lights across the lawn illuminate the riverside, creating a sparkling landscape beneath the night sky. Visitors can stroll along the park's pathways, with the peaceful river on one side and city lights on the other, leaving the urban bustle behind to enjoy the charm of Taipei's waterfront at night.

Residents can also plan a refreshing summer family outing combining two nearby attractions. During the day, families can cool off and enjoy the water attractions at the Museum of Drinking Water. Once the afternoon heat begins to ease, they can stroll along Siyuan Street, pass through the Gongguan Waterfront Plaza, and continue to the children's playground at Guting Riverside Park, where children can embark on a creative journey through the different states of water. This holiday, consider leaving the air conditioning and screens behind and spending time with the family along Guting's sunny riverbank. Amid the breeze and beautiful scenery, rediscover the simple sounds of children at play and create lasting family memories.

The HEO said that the Xindian River and Jingmei River Confluence Revetment and Landscape Improvement Project received an Excellence Award in the Best Planning and Design category. Centered on river safety, the ecological environment, and residents' waterfront needs, the project integrates revetment improvements at the river confluence with landscape planning. The design balances flood protection, riverfront views, and recreational circulation, transforming the waterfront from purely urban flood-control infrastructure into a high-quality public space connecting nature with everyday life.

The Mifenken Creek Drainage Improvement Project (Dahu Shanzhuang Street Flood Detention and Sedimentation Basin B) received an Excellence Award in the Best Construction Quality category. Flood detention and sedimentation facilities have strengthened the area's capacity to regulate stormwater runoff. During construction, the project team also took into account the existing environment, coordination between construction stages, and quality control. Inspection and safety management requirements were rigorously implemented despite constrained construction conditions, helping reduce the burden that runoff and sediment place on downstream drainage systems during heavy rainfall.

The Dalong Pumping Station Expansion Project received an Excellence Award in the Best Construction Quality category. Designed to enhance local flood protection and drainage capacity, the project encompasses the main pumping station structure, forebay, pumping and drainage equipment, and related ancillary facilities. Faced with complex challenges including integration with the existing station, deep excavation, mechanical and electrical systems integration, and flood preparedness during the flood season, the project team coordinated construction interfaces, implemented phased controls, and conducted quality inspections to ensure both effective flood protection and construction quality.

The Bailing Pumping Station Project received a Gold Award in the Best Planning and Design category. With enhanced regional flood resilience at the heart of its planning and design, the project integrates pumping and drainage functions, operational and maintenance requirements, the urban landscape, and surrounding environmental conditions. Comprehensive consideration was given to everything from equipment configuration and maintenance access to the building's exterior design, creating a modern pumping station that combines safety, efficiency, and integration with its surroundings.

The Shezi Island Wetland received an Excellence Award in the Best Management and Maintenance category, recognizing its outstanding ecological and sustainable management. To date, 142 bird species and 25 protected species have been recorded at the wetland, which also serves as a wintering ground for the common snipe. Microtopographic management is being used to protect the critically endangered four-spotted midget damselfly, a species found at only three habitats in Taiwan, while a public-private restoration initiative has brought back the native mangrove fern, which had disappeared from the Tamsui River for three centuries. In addition, the wetland sequesters 11.19 metric tons of carbon per hectare annually, providing tangible carbon-sink benefits. Results from its science-based sediment management practices were also presented at the 2024 international wetland science conference, demonstrating the HEO's expertise in integrating hydraulic engineering with environmental sustainability.

The HEO noted that the five award-winning projects span planning and design, construction quality, and management and maintenance, covering riverfront improvements, mountain-area drainage, pumping station construction, and wetland management. Together, they demonstrate Taipei City's achievements in managing hydraulic infrastructure throughout its entire life cycle. The awards recognize not only the efforts of the project teams and their partners but also the City Government's continued commitment to strengthening flood resilience, improving public works quality, and enhancing the value of waterfront environments.

Looking ahead, the HEO will continue to uphold the principles of high quality, safety, and sustainable development while introducing innovative technologies and refining its management practices. By balancing disaster prevention, ecological conservation, and residents' needs, the HEO aims to create a safer, more livable, and more resilient water environment for Taipei.

On the 15th, Commissioner Hu, Hsiao-Lan of the Department of Finance (DOF) presented the award at the city council meeting. Mayor Chiang not only praised the long-term efforts of the DOF and the Taipei team in promoting fiscal works, but also stated that sound finances are the cornerstone of sustainable urban development. Maximizing the effectiveness of limited budgets requires joint oversight and cooperation among all departments to maintain fiscal discipline while steadily advancing various administrative initiatives. Mayor hopes the Taipei team will continue to pursue steady progress and lay a more solid foundation for the city's long-term development.

Commissioner Hu, Hsiao-Lan of the DOF explained that Taipei stood out among the six special municipalities, achieving excellent results in both financial management and debt management, demonstrating the city government's concrete achievements in implementing fiscal discipline, actively increasing revenue and reducing expenses, and properly managing debt. In addition to achieving excellent performance in assessments, the Taipei City Government (TCG) was also invited to share experiences at the Local Finance Meeting, exchanging innovative fiscal management practices with other counties and cities and sharing Taipei's experience in promoting sustainable finance nationwide.

In terms of financial management, the TCG is promoting "fiscal sustainability, fiscal innovation, and smart governance," actively revitalizing city-owned assets, promoting investment promotion, and public urban renewal, continuously expanding diversified financial sources, and improving resource utilization efficiency through cross-departmental collaboration. Among them, the Department of Education has promoted the "Green Power Energy Generation and Revenue Generation - Revitalizing Sustainable Campuses" project, successfully introducing private resources to invest in campus green energy transformation, balancing environmental sustainability and fiscal efficiency. It has been recognized by local governments and voted the nation's top case of increase in revenue and reduction in expenditure, fully demonstrating the city's cross-departmental efforts to increase revenue and reduce expenses.

In debt management, the TCG continues to implement medium- and long-term debt planning and various principal repayment measures. Since Mayor Chiang took office at the end of 2022, the total debt reduction has reached 43 billion NTD, ranking first among local governments nationwide. The debt balance has dropped from 89.8 billion NTD to 46.8 billion NTD, and the average debt per citizen has dropped significantly from 36,000 NTD to 19,000 NTD. Through active debt reduction, not only can the overall debt scale be lowered, but the pressure on debt interest expenditures can also be gradually eased, allowing limited fiscal resources to be invested in municipal construction and various measures to enhance citizens' welfare, achieving a balance between fiscal discipline and urban development.

Commissioner Hu, Hsiao-Lan concluded by stating that winning the dual achievements of the Ministry of Finance in financial management and debt management is the result of joint efforts by all city government agencies and schools. From revenue reduction and asset activation to debt management, the Taipei team demonstrates their determination to implement fiscal discipline and improve resource utilization efficiency. Facing future urban development and environmental changes, the TCG will continue to uphold the concept of fiscal sustainability, maximizing the effectiveness of limited fiscal resources and building a more resilient, efficient, and sustainable capital city.

On the morning of August 30 at Guangci/Fengtian Temple Station, the opening ceremony was held for the grand completion of Xinyi eastern extension, described as the most difficult construction project in the history of the MRT. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an presided over the opening ceremony and gathered together with distinguished VIP guests to witness and celebrate the addition of the new MRT line to the city’s transit network. DORTS explained that the completion of construction on this section of the line not only successfully extends the Tamsui-Xinyi line further to the east and enables the public to directly travel from Guangci/Fengtian Temple Station to Tamsui Station but is also an implementation of the national green transportation development policy which enhances transportation capabilities in the eastern part of the Taipei Metropolitan Area.  

In his speech, Mayor Chiang stated that although this section of the MRT line is only 1.4 km long, the geological conditions and construction environment were extremely challenging. He expressed special gratitude to the entire MRT construction team for their professionalism and perseverance in overcoming a wide range of hardships including complex underground geology, environmental challenges, and labor and material shortages. He also thanked the teams for upholding quality standards to complete this key project and boost the resilience of the city’s transportation network. 

DORTS stated that Xinyi eastern extension has been hailed as “one of the most difficult construction projects in the history of the MRT,” and the construction team successfully overcame extreme spatial and geological challenges during the construction. The construction was carried out beneath Fude Street, which is only 25 meters in width, and the excavation of the massive station structure extended 10 floors underground. Furthermore, the required construction accuracy left no room for error with heavy machinery in use at a distance of only 60 centimeters from residential buildings on either side. In addition to the spatial constraints, the construction team also faced extreme geological challenges characterized by soft materials in the upper layers and hard materials in the lower layers. The shallow layers were formerly wetlands; therefore, the equipment would sink into the soft ground, and more than 5,000 bags of cement were required to strengthen the foundation before construction could commence. At greater depths, the construction teams encountered ultra-hard rock formations which were four times harder than expected. With a single compressive strength of up to 1,324 kgf/cm², the shield tunnel machine could only advance 2.5 meters per day with great difficulty. After overcoming numerous challenges, including utility pipeline relocation and nighttime construction restrictions, the construction team managed to ensure the safety of neighboring buildings and complete the excavation tasks by employing a wide variety of sophisticated construction techniques. 

Mayor Chiang stated that following the completion of Xinyi eastern extension, Guangci/Fengtian Temple Station will be a formal addition to the Taipei MRT route network and be directly connected to the other existing 117 MRT stations; furthermore, as an important link in the realization of the vision of a “Sustainable Taipei,” it will also be the first step in the city government’s promotion of the “Development of Six Lines 2.0.” The scheduled completion of Wanda line Phase I construction by the end of next year is further proof of the Taipei team’s determination and capacity to execute projects. 

DORTS pointed out that the Guangci/Fengtian Temple Station structure was designed in accordance with a “Rising Water” design concept which combines the flow of people through the MRT station with imagery from the local Liugongjun. Through the visual applications of blue flooring, walls, and ceilings, the concept of flowing water is transformed into architectural forms with horizontal and curved imagery which cleverly blend the dual urban and natural landscape imagery of Four Beasts Mountain and Liugongjun. This creates a cultural landmark for the public that embodies the concepts of ecological sustainability and local characteristics.

DORTS explained that the public can board the MRT at Guangci/Fengtian Temple Station, and arrive at Xiangshan Station in just 2 minutes and Taipei 101/World Trade Center Station in 4 minutes before continuing onward to Taipei Main Station and Tamsui. This significantly reduces daily commuting and transfer times. In addition, the opening of Xinyi eastern extension dramatically expands the living circle for local residents, with the station exit/entrance directly connecting to Guangci Charity Park and Xinyi District Administration Center. This renders business and social welfare resources easily accessible and facilitates the achievement of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) urban governance objectives.

DORTS also mentioned that Taipei City Government is currently making every effort to promote the construction of the Circular line, which forms a full loop around the capital city. In the future, after the Circular line east section connects with Xinyi line for transfers at Xiangshan Station, the original commute time from Guangci/Fengtian Temple Station to Neihu Technology Park will be dramatically reduced from 40 minutes to just 17 minutes! In addition to alleviating traffic bottlenecks in Neihu Technology Park, this will also be a key driver in our collective journey toward the creation of a sustainable green city with net-zero emissions.  

Born on April 20, the chick is the offspring of the zoo's resident Red-crowned Cranes, KIKA (female) and BIG (male), and is the second chick successfully hatched by the pair after a four-year interval. At birth, its tiny body was covered in light brown down, making it look much like a little chick. Growing rapidly, it reached the height of its parents' legs at around one month of age. By nearly two months old, white and brown feathers began to emerge as its fluffy down was gradually replaced. Now at four and a half months old, the young crane has developed a strong, slender body and nearly full plumage. It looks almost like a differently colored version of its parents, with body proportions nearly identical to theirs, while its feather coloration is still distinct.

Recently, the father crane, BIG, has continued to keep a close watch and actively warn off anyone approaching the enclosure. The young crane, however, no longer stays close beside its mother as it did when it was younger. Instead, it has become curious and will cautiously approach unfamiliar people to observe them. The area behind the chick's rump is now covered with dark feathers similar to those of an adult. Although this may look like a tail, it is actually formed by elongated tertial flight feathers extending from the wings rather than true tail feathers. Now that its wings are almost fully grown, the young crane occasionally flaps them and briefly lifts off the ground, providing an excellent opportunity to see this distinctive feature.

As the young crane continues to grow, the yellowish-brown feathers on its head and neck will gradually darken until they become the characteristic black plumage of an adult. At the same time, the bare patch of skin on the top of its head will gradually develop into the species' distinctive red crown. Once these features have fully developed, the young crane will be one step closer to reaching adulthood.

Labor Standards Act

Article 39

Wages shall be paid by an employer to a worker for taking leaves for regular leaves and rest days as stipulated by Article 36, for holidays as stipulated under Article 37, and annual paid leaves as stipulated by Article 38. When an employer has obtained the consent of a worker to work on a holiday, the employer shall pay the worker at double the regular rate for such work. This shall also apply when, with the consent of the worker or the labor union, the worker is required to work to meet seasonal needs.

Birth and death are natural parts of life. Through daily care, veterinary medicine, quality-of-life assessments, and other animal welfare practices, Taipei Zoo accompanies animals throughout every stage of their lives. As new animals are born, others inevitably pass away due to old age or illness, including Xi-Hui the white rhinoceros, gray wolves Wolf and Lola, leopard cat Xiao-Mu, koala Wolverine, pangolin Guo-Ran-Weng, and the elderly eastern gray kangaroo, "Grandma". The memorial also remembers animals such as pangolin Run-Hou-Tang and red panda Croissant, which departed for other institutions as part of genetic exchange and conservation breeding programs. Facing the loss of animal companions is an important part of the zoo's life education mission, and the Animal Memorial Service provides an opportunity to express remembrance, blessings, and gratitude for the companionship these animals shared with us.

The zoo's Animal Memorial Service dates back to the 1920s, when memorial ceremonies were held periodically for animals that had passed away. In the 1950s, the Asian elephant Malan even served as the symbolic animal representative during one of the ceremonies. However, as awareness of and commitment to animal welfare grew, live animals were no longer included in the rituals. Today, the Animal Memorial Service has become an annual event held in conjunction with Ghost Festival traditions and has evolved into a more inclusive practice. For example, online ceremonies were held during the COVID-19 pandemic to overcome space limitations, and different forms of ceremonies have been organized to respect diverse religious beliefs. On September 9, 2026, Mucha Zhongshun Temple was invited to conduct the memorial, universal offering, and blessing ceremony, commemorating the animals that once lived at the zoo and praying for the safety and well-being of both the animals and people at Taipei Zoo.

The year 2026 marks the 112th anniversary of Taipei Zoo and the 40th anniversary of its relocation from its former Yuanshan site to its current home in Mucha. Over the past 40 years, the zoo has welcomed the birth of new animals while also bidding farewell to others as they reached the end of their lives. During this time, Taipei Zoo has evolved from a traditional zoo primarily focused on exhibiting exotic animals into a modern institution dedicated to conservation education. By integrating both in-situ and ex-situ conservation efforts, the zoo now places wildlife conservation and animal welfare at the core of its mission.

Source: Industry and Business Division of the Department of Economic Development, Taipei City Government

Time: 10:30-12:00

Date: Sep. 17, 2026

Venue: Meeting room 206, 2F , North Wing, Taipei City Hall

Taipei City DORTS stated that the overall construction progress of Wanda line (Phase I) is currently over 85.6%. Dynamic testing of the main line commenced in May, symbolizing that construction on this civil engineering project had entered the key stage of system integration testing. On August 3, Taipei City Mayor Chiang Wan-an and New Taipei City Mayor Hou Yu-ih rode for a train test together as a testament to the impressive results of dynamic train testing on the main line. They also expressed their gratitude to the construction team for their long hours of diligent efforts on the project.

Mayor Chiang stated the roll out of dynamic testing on the main line not only represents the forward momentum of progress on the construction but also symbolizes another step toward the future opening of the line. As an important MRT construction linking Taipei City and New Taipei City, in the future Wanda line will connect various living circles together including Zhongzheng and Wanhua Districts in Taipei City and Yonghe, Zhonghe, and Tucheng Districts in New Taipei City; furthermore, it will also provide transfer connections with Tamsui-Xinyi line, Songshan-Xindian line, and the Circular line. In addition, the current 40 minutes of time needed to commute from Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall Station to Zhonghe Senior High School Station will be reduced to just 14 minutes, dramatically improving the convenience of public transportation and making further improvements to the MRT network in Taipei City and New Taipei City.

DORTS pointed out that the dynamic testing currently underway on the main line is a key milestone in the construction of the Wanda line and also represents the movement of the project from the civil construction phase to the system integration and validation phase. DORTS will adhere to the planned testing schedule covering the entire line and conduct gradual verification of EMUs, the power supply, signals, communications, and platform doors; moreover, they will complete construction and be prepared to meet the standards for the subsequent opening of the line for operations through the accumulated results of validation testing. 

DORTS also mentioned that investor solicitation has been completed for eight development sites, including those at Jincheng Depot and Juguang Station, with the investment total exceeding NT$50 billion. The building planning, design, and construction for each of the joint development projects at each station have begun one after another, and following the completion of construction, the works will bring about further improvements to the overall surrounding area.

DORTS further elaborated that Wanda line (Phase I) construction is proceeding at breakneck speed, with civil engineering continually underway at all stations, including structural tasks, building renovation, work on electrical and water systems, environmental controls, and road updates. Electromechanical systems facilities are also being completed step by step in accordance with planning; furthermore, the mass-produced EMUs have also been arriving at Jincheng Depot one after another, with 19 trains set to be ready by the end of the year. To that end, train operations and the functionality of all electromechanical equipment are continually being monitored.

Mayor Chiang stated that local representatives and other distinguished guests had been invited to participate in the event, and in addition to letting them bear witness to the current achievements of the Wanda line, he also express his gratitude for the long-term support from all sectors of society for enabling the project to move forward steadily step-by-step. There are no administrative boundaries for MRT construction, and it is only through strengthened cooperation between Taipei and New Taipei City that residents will be able to enjoy a more convenient transportation system which promotes balanced urban development. 

DORTS emphasized that they will continue to promote a wide variety of operations to ensure that construction works at each station proceed according to schedule. During the process of gradually removing fencing toward the end of the year, DORTS will ensure that safety is maintained at the construction sites and on the roads. This will enable citizens to feel that “returning the roads to the people” is more than just an empty slogan, both prior to and after the routes have been opened for operations, and that it will convey tangible changes in their everyday lives. The Taipei City and New Taipei City teams are working in close cooperation to enable “safety, convenience, and tangible improvements” to be the most lasting impressions left on residents of Taipei and New Taipei City following the opening of Wanda line (Phase I).

At birth, Malayan tapir calves have black coats covered with white spots and stripes. These markings resemble the dappled sunlight filtering through forest leaves and branches, helping camouflage the calves in the wild. At around one and a half to two months of age, the coat begins to lighten starting around the rump. By five to six months of age, the calf will have developed the species' characteristic black-and-white coloration, with white markings remaining across the back, sides, and the tips of the ears.

This year's Malayan tapir calf is the offspring of Mo-Shu, who was born at Taipei Zoo, and Putri, who came from Singapore's Mandai Wildlife Group. The calf is currently staying with her mother at the zoo's Conservation and Research Center, which is not open to the public. Under the attentive care of Putri and the keepers, everyone hopes the calf will continue to grow up healthy.

On May 20 this year, a young male Malayan tapir named Bintang ("Star"), also from Singapore, arrived at Taipei Zoo. He is currently living in the Tropical Rainforest Area, next to the Kookaburra exhibit, and visitors are welcome to stop by and see him.

This designation is made in accordance with Paragraph 1, Subparagraph 4 of Article 19 of the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act.

Violators will be subject to a fine ranging from NTD 2,000 to NTD 10,000, as stipulated in Paragraph 2 of Article 40 of the aforementioned Act.