By KHT Staff – LOCATION: Jiadong Township, Pingtung County
PINGTUNG — Investigation into the unidentified animal that mauled a betel nut orchard in Jiadong Township (佳冬鄉) is proving difficult, as local officials confirm the site has no surveillance cameras or clear footprints.
The affected farmer, identified by his surname Dai (戴), expressed shock, noting this is the first time in his years of farming that such high-level damage has occurred. Because the bark was shredded more than 200 centimeters (approx. 6.5 feet) high, authorities have officially ruled out stray dogs, as they are physically unable to climb or reach that height to cause such extensive trunk damage.
The remote nature of the orchard means no cameras were active during the incident. The hard ground conditions left no identifiable tracks for trackers to follow. Township officials have issued a safety alert to nearby residents, advising them to avoid going into isolated orchards alone until the animal is identified.
Netizens continue to “investigate” online, with theories ranging from the invasive Green Iguana (known for high climbing) to more alarming suggestions like the Formosan Black Bear or Wild Boar. However, without physical tracks, the Agriculture Department is currently relying on visual inspections of the bite marks.
KHT Comment:
The Jiadong incident highlights a common security gap in Taiwan’s rural agricultural zones. As farmers transition to higher-value crops, the lack of “smart farming” infrastructure like motion-sensor cameras makes them vulnerable not just to theft but also to unidentified wildlife threats that can cause significant economic damage overnight.
Sources: Commercial Times: Mystery Animal Mauled Betel Nut Trees; Netizens Name Suspects China Times: No Footprints or Cameras at Jiadong Site; Public Caution Urged
