Kaohsiung promotes electric fences to keep monkeys off farms

Kaohsiung promotes electric fences to keep monkeys off farms

2025-04-01

Clever macaques are always finding new ways to get into farmers’ orchards to feast on stolen crops. But Kaohsiung’s Agriculture Bureau has found that electric fences keep monkeys out nearly 100% of the time. So far, electric fences have been installed on 58 sites, with very promising results. The bureau is offering subsidies to encourage more farmers to install electric fences to protect their crops.

This fence may look ordinary, but the warning sign indicates that high voltage runs through it. The Kaohsiung City Government is promoting electric fences like this, designed to keep out the very monkeys shown on the warning sign.

Lee Li-kuei
Guava farmer
Before I installed the fence, maybe two-thirds of the area would be damaged. After I installed it, the damage is zero. The current is low and the voltage is high, so when monkeys touch it, they are startled and feel a little pain. The purpose of the electric fence is to drive them away, not to kill them. Electric fences are actually quite safe.

Macaques in Taiwan are very intelligent. They find all sorts of ways to sneak into orchards and steal crops, significantly impacting harvests. But with the electric fences, farmers can really feel the difference.

Voice of Lee Li-kuei
Guava farmer
With electric fences, regardless of whether we are harvesting that day, we’ll always keep it on. The monkeys are very smart. They come to test it every day. Their scouts will report back to them, so they won’t return to this area. Previously in an area without a fence, maybe I could only harvest 20% of the crop. But in the area with an electric fence, I can harvest at least 50%.

Many farmers have found these fences work very well. But to ensure the monkeys give up their coveted farms, all the neighboring farmers should install electric fences together. The Kaohsiung City Government is subsidizing the installation cost to encourage farmers to do just that.

Liang Ming-hsien
Kaohsiung Agriculture Bureau Deputy Director
We have already subsidized 58 areas, covering 95 hectares. Applications are already open for this year’s electric fence subsidy. The government can subsidize three-quarters of the cost, and farmers need only handle the remaining quarter. At most the subsidy can cover two hectares, and its maximum amount is NT$230,000.

The government hopes that these successful cases will encourage more farmers to apply for the subsidy, preventing agricultural loses and ensuring that farmers’ hard work pays off with fruitful harvests.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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"電網"防猴! 高雄果園試辦佳防治效果近100%

2025-04-01

聰明又機警的獼猴，為了飽餐一頓，會想出不同方法入侵果園，讓農民感到很頭痛，不過高雄農業局測試發現，果園實施"電網防治"後，防治效果接近百分百，目前已經累計58個案場、共95公頃架設，成果顯著，也鼓勵農民踴躍架設電網，讓心血都能夠順利收成。

看似正常的圍籬，上頭卻寫著"高壓電危險"，還畫著一隻猴子，原來這是高雄市政府，積極推廣的"電網"。

[[芭樂農李立貴]]
“我在沒有圍的時候，全區受損可能是2/3，我圍了之後我的損害是零，低電流高電壓，猴子在觸碰的時候，她其實是受到驚嚇，有一點疼痛感，那我們做電網是做一個驅離的動作，而不是趕盡殺絕，其實做電圍網是相對安全的”

聰明的台灣獼猴，甚於觀察環境，對於農作物搶食，也會想盡各種辦法來盜取作物，常常讓農民血本無歸，不過裝了電網後，農民真的有感。

[[聲源: 芭樂農李立貴]]
“那其實我們做電圍網，就是不管你今天有沒有收成，就是把它(電)都開著，牠們其實也很聰明，牠會每天都會來試，那個前哨兵回去牠們都會講，所以這區就不要再來了。像我之前有一區沒有裝，今天我可能只剩下兩成可以收，我現在做電圍網這一區，少說可能五成有吧”

農友實際測試，認為效果非常好，但建議周遭農地也要一起實施，天衣無縫的進行電網防治，才能讓獼猴放棄覬覦農地，高雄市政府也提出補助，來鼓勵更多農民使用電網來預防農損。

[[高雄市政府農業局副局長梁銘憲]]
“目前已經累計補助58個案場，面積有95公頃，今年的電圍網補助，已經開放申請，政府可以補助3/4，農民只需要負擔1/4的費用，補助的範圍最高是兩公頃，補助金額最高是23萬”

農業局也希望透過成功案例，鼓勵符合條件的農民踴躍申請，來降低農業損失，讓農民的心血都能順利收成。

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The Ministry of National Defense says it had a full grasp on the movements, and national security officials are paying close attention to any developments.

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Taiwan woman presumed dead in Myanmar earthquake

A Taiwanese woman is believed to have perished in last week’s earthquake in Myanmar, making her the first confirmed Taiwanese death in the disaster. The woman had been trapped under rubble of the Great Wall Hotel Mandalay for more than two days. Though she had initially been able to communicate with her husband through a walkie talkie, by Monday evening, a rescue team announced they could no longer find signs of life. Rescuers are trying to locate her body, which will be cremated before it is transported to Taiwan.

Mr. Lin
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My wife has been confirmed to have perished today. Though it marks the end of her life, it is also a new beginning.

Wearing a white T-shirt and with a pained expression of his face is Mr. Lin, who had been travelling in Myanmar with his wife when the powerful earthquake struck. Though he managed to escape, his wife ended up trapped under the rubble of the Great Wall Hotel Mandalay, making her the first Taiwanese casualty.

Mr. Lin
Husband of victim
I hope my wife’s ashes can be transported back to Taiwan. These few days, I’ve seen the efforts from volunteer groups, digging up rubble with their bare hands. They don’t have equipment, helmets, or face masks. They don’t have anything. We are very lucky in Taiwan.

The Lins had frequently visited Myanmar for charity work related to orphans. This time around, they had traveled to the country as a group totaling nine people. Seven of them had already left the country before the Lins, who had stayed behind to get acupuncture treatment only to get caught in the quake.

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We have been informed by relatives of the victim that rescue teams have reported that there are no signs of life at the scene. We will assist the family with any necessary arrangements.

Officials from Taiwan’s representative office in Myanmar have arrived in Mandalay to offer condolences and assistance to the victim’s husband. Mr. Lin appears to be in good health and spirits, and says he hopes to soon be reunited with his wife.

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Myanmar Taiwan Business Association
The rescue team brought rescue dogs and searched for signs of life, but by the time it was evening, they reported they found none. Officials from Taiwan’s representative office have arrived and are coordinating efforts to continue searching for her body. There is still a possibility that she is alive.

After a long history of charity work in Myanmar, the couple’s travels together came to an abrupt end last week.

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The image of a thumbtack found in a bowl of grass jelly has shocked the internet, leaving many people wondering how the object could’ve ended up in the dessert.

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We may come back another day, but then we won’t notify them in advance.

Even if the pin accidentally fell into the jelly during cooking, its presence in the served meal has raised uproar. If swallowed, the thumbtack could have caused serious medical problems. Officials say they’ll conduct inspections at unspecified times.

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After receiving the report, the bureau immediately dispatched staff to inspect the restaurant’s environment and quality control procedures. If shortcomings are found, the business will be required to make improvements within a specific time frame.

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From crystal-clear waters to emerald green mountains, Taiwan’s diverse landscapes showcase its unique beauty. The Tourism Administration is working with each city and county to showcase 100 of Taiwan’s unique tourist destinations, promoting different regions each month.

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As flowers bloom with spring’s arrival, the tung blossom festival will begin in Miaoli. Anyone can join this romantic festival, experiencing the beauty of Taiwan.

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A commotion on the waters off Kenting comes from whale watchers when they spot a humpback whale.

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Wearing the light blue uniform of Team Taiwan is Peng Zhen from Hualien’s Yuli High School. Here at the 777-meter short track speed skating event, the 17-year-old pulls away far ahead of her rivals, finally bagging a gold medal for Taiwan.

On the winners’ podium, she is all smiles. Speaking to reporters afterward, the speed skating teen said she was very excited when she won, and thanked her parents for their encouragement.

Peng Zhen
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Chih Hui-ming
Peng Zhen’s mother
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Another person who returned home with something to show is Lin Chia-hsin, who is an older schoolmate of Peng at Yuli High School. Few people realize that the taxing physical training that the two girls underwent only focused on basic skating skills. Since there is no ice skating rink in Hualien, the whole team makes special trips to Taipei to train together and hone their skills on ice.

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Because there is no ice skating rink in Yuli, we first practiced by using inline skates instead of ice skates.

Liang Kuang-ming
Wanrong Township Mayor
I’d like to wish her further breakthroughs. Keep working hard, strive for higher prizes, and win glory for Wanrong Township.

Despite the lack of resources and a skating rink to train in, these national team athletes had been practicing diligently using inline skates. They only changed into ice skates for some last-minute practice before the competition in Italy. In the face of hardship, they never gave up, ultimately becoming a source of pride for Taiwan.

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