Trans-Pacific warmth: Hong Kong girl donates seashells, hermit crab on Green Island finds a home

▲ The “No. 2” shell released by Hong Kong visitor A’zhe was recently found by Kaohsiung tourist Xiao Jing with a hermit crab inside. (Photo provided by Green Island Go Wonder)

Reporter Zhou Youzheng / Comprehensive report

The issue of Green Island’s hermit crabs “not finding homes” is severe. Taitung County Government is actively promoting the “Shell Releasing” initiative to help these creatures find warm shelters. A shell labeled No. 2, released by a girl from Hong Kong named A’zhe, was recently discovered by a visitor from Kaohsiung with a hermit crab already living in it. The organizing team specially wrote a postcard on behalf of the hermit crab to thank both parties, expressing gratitude for this heartwarming act that spanned three locations.

Hong Kong tourist A’zhe participated in the county government’s “Green Island Go Wonder” tour in August this year. On a blank seashell provided by the organizers, she marked the number 2 and placed it on the beach. Recently, a girl from Kaohsiung named Xiao Jing, visiting Green Island, found this No. 2 shell near the lighthouse on the grassland, with a hermit crab already living inside. She immediately informed the county government — the overseas warmth had reached the hermit crab.

▲ The “Shell Releasing” project involves labeling empty shells with numbers, helping hermit crabs find homes and allowing observation of their occupancy. (Photo provided by Green Island Go Wonder)

The county government’s Tourism Planning Division stated that as tourism on Green Island has flourished, empty shells on the island are often taken by visitors as souvenirs, leaving hermit crabs homeless. As a result, the “Hermit Crab Housing Project” was launched to collect empty shells. Through the “Green Island Go Wonder” tour, participants place the shells across the island. Currently, more than 700 numbered shells have been released, with a hermit crab “occupancy rate” of over 80%.

▲%The Hermit Crab Housing Project has seen great success, thanks to contributions from people in Hong Kong. These empty shells, regardless of their shape or size, may become potential homes for hermit crabs. The county government is grateful for such support. (Photo provided by Green Island Go Wonder)

Recently, photos of Green Island hermit crabs living in discarded faucets and bottle caps were revealed, shocking many. The Tourism Planning Division pointed out that when visiting Green Island, the public should avoid picking up empty shells on the beach or even on roadsides. They should not collect shells of any shape or size, because every empty shell could be a potential home for a hermit crab. The county government also welcomes more members of the public to join the Hermit Crab Housing Project and the “Wonder Tour,” helping them return home safely.

▲ Green Island hermit crabs without homes are forced to live in discarded faucets and bottle caps. (Photo sourced from Lu Jinyu’s Facebook, press photo)