Dear faculty, staff, and students:
Hello everyone!
With the arrival of late spring and early summer, the campus lotus pond is undergoing an important seasonal transition of life. From April to June each year (with some records starting as early as March), it is the nesting season for Taiwan’s native “striped turtles” (long-tailed turtles) mothers.
In order to find a safe and soft sandy area to dig nests and lay eggs, female striped turtles often have to endure severe physical exhaustion while searching on land, and may even risk crossing roads, facing the danger of roadkill. To protect these silent residents, the campus “Striped Turtle Nesting Season Protection Program” has officially been launched!
? Our Protection Actions: Creating a Five-Star “Maternity Ward”
To allow striped turtle mothers to give birth safely within the campus, we have specially carried out the following habitat improvement projects:
“Super Sand Beach” on the Lake Island: We have laid a 40–60 cm thick layer of fine sand on the lake island. This soft sandy area is a favorite place for mothers to dig nests and lay eggs. Each clutch contains about 7–15 eggs, allowing life to develop safely on the island.
Friendly Climbing Gentle Slope: Considering that the mothers are heavier during the nesting period, we have installed wide, rough-surfaced slopes with an angle of less than 20 degrees, and added “resting points” in the water, making it easier for the mothers to come ashore.
Conservation Competitive Advantage (SDG 15.8): In the future, we will remove invasive red-eared slider turtles (Brazilian turtles) from the pond, freeing up more basking spots and food resources for native striped turtle mothers.
? How Can You Help? “Nesting Protection Alliance” Action Guide
During the critical April–June period, we invite you to follow these rules together:
Keep quiet: If you see a striped turtle mother coming ashore by the pond, please lower your voice and slow your pace. Your silence is the best encouragement for her.
Do not disturb or capture: The nesting process is extremely fragile. Please observe from a distance and do not touch or capture.
Reject pet abandonment: Abandoning pets is a major cause of ecological imbalance. Let us work together to protect the living space of native species.
※The above is an AI-generated translation and may not be 100% accurate. For reference only — please double-check any important details.