Massive hornet’s nest causes popular botanical garden to close

Massive hornet’s nest causes popular botanical garden to close

2026-08-18

A gigantic hornet’s nest has forced a popular botanical garden in Yilan to shut its gates after a dangerous swarm was discovered hanging right above the entrance. The nest, bigger than a basketball, belonged to highly aggressive black-bellied hornets. Workers suited up in full protective gear and used a crane to remove it. But experts warn the threat may not be over, with stray hornets still lurking nearby. The garden will remain closed until September 1 as staff wait for the dangerous insects to disperse.

Staff stand around looking tense. Visitors pass by, wondering what is going on. Look up! A huge hornet’s nest hangs over their heads.

A brave worker wearing a protective jacket is hoisted up to the top of the tree on a crane to carefully detach the nest.

Yang Shang-hua
Yilan Agriculture Department
Even after the nest is removed, some hornets might remain and regroup to build a new, smaller nest.

The Renshan Botanical Garden in Dongshan, Yilan, was notified of a gigantic nest bigger than a basketball hanging right over its main gate. Its residents were identified as black-bellied hornets, one of the most dangerous and aggressive species islandwide, dubbed “mountain enemy No. 1.” Staff closed off the access on Monday afternoon to remove the nest, but even one day later, the danger isn’t past.

Liao Yueh-hui
Zhongshan Village Chief
Even though it’s been taken down, there might still be some roaming hornets that could attack visitors. So the garden will be closed for two weeks. We’ll wait until all the hornets are gone before reopening.

Due to safety concerns, the botanical garden will be closed until Sept. 1, to make sure no dangerous hornets remain.

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