Fireflies return to downtown Taipei! Da’an Forest Park to release bred fireflies on September 4

▲Da’an Forest Park expanded its ecological pond to breed fireflies, creating small muddy pits of varying depths to provide comfortable habitats for fireflies and other aquatic life through foot traffic. (Photo / fromFriends of Da’an Forest Park FoundationFacebook page, same below)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Taipei residents’ dream of seeing fireflies in the city has finally come true. The Friends of Da’an Forest Park Foundation launched a firefly breeding project late last year and secured the hosting rights for the “2017 International Firefly Symposium.” This spring, adult yellow-margin fireflies reappeared in Da’an Forest Park in Taipei after a 26-year absence, signaling the success of the breeding efforts. The Friends of Da’an Forest Park Foundation will build on this momentum by releasing fireflies again on September 4 and inviting citizens to join in.

▲Fireflies were spotted in Da’an Forest Park this April.

The Friends of Da’an Forest Park Foundation previously secured the hosting rights for next year’s International Firefly Symposium for Taiwan and successfully bred fireflies in collaboration with Everlight Electronics. Yang Pingshi, former dean of National Taiwan University’s College of Bioresources and Agriculture, once pointed out that Da’an Forest Park is the first capital in the world to successfully breed fireflies in a densely populated area. Since artificial lighting greatly affects fireflies, special LED streetlights with wavelengths visible to humans but not to fireflies were designed during the breeding process, based on the retina sensitivity of fireflies, allowing residents to finally see fireflies in the city.

▲Fireflies are more sensitive to purple, blue, green, and yellow-green light, so special LED lights that do not affect their retinas have been installed in the park.

In addition to successfully breeding fireflies and organizing another firefly release event, the Friends of Da’an Forest Park Foundation and Everlight Culture Foundation also held a “Firefly Song” competition. The submission period lasts until September 14. The Friends of Da’an Forest Park Foundation stated that they hope Taiwanese music lovers and songwriters will showcase their creativity by composing original songs that embody “hope, care, emotion, and happiness.” For detailed entry information, please visitthe registration websiteor theFriends of Da’an Forest Park FoundationFacebook page.

Da’an Forest Park Firefly Release
Time: 9:15 AM on September 4
Location: Beside the ecological pond in Da’an Forest Park

Firefly Song Competition
Submission Period: From now until September 14
For competition details, please visitthe registration websiteor theFriends of Da’an Forest Park FoundationFacebook page.