Stargazing & Giving Hermit Crabs a Home: Taitung’s Free Nighttime Ecology Tour at Little Yehliu

▲ The "Night Visit to Little Yehliu" ecological tour saw nearly 20,000 participants join the "Give Hermit Crabs a Home" initiative last year. (Photo provided by the East Coast Administration)

Reported by Lin Yuying / Comprehensive report

The "Night Visit to Little Yehliu" event, hosted by the East Coast National Scenic Area Administration, Tourism Bureau, Ministry of Transportation and Communications (referred to as the East Coast Administration), is about to begin on May 1st of this year (2016). Last year’s well-received activity, "Give Hermit Crabs a Home," will continue, encouraging the public to actively protect Earth’s ecosystems, and welcoming visitors to bring their own shells for hermit crabs seeking new homes.

Lin Xinren, head of the East Coast Administration, stated that the "Night Visit to Little Yehliu" offers free nighttime ecological tours, geological interpretation, and stargazing. The “Give Hermit Crabs a Home” initiative, which began last year, saw 11,812 participants release nearly 20,000 shells, making it the most popular nighttime activity along the East Coast. The shell donation campaign also received responses from people across the country.

▲ Recommended shells should be of medium size with a spiral shape, preferably those of the helmet shell or moon shell variety. (Photo provided by the East Coast Administration)

It is recommended to bring shells of medium size with a spiral shape—preferably helmet or moon shells. During the tour, with guidance from the tour leaders, these shells can be placed in suitable locations to help "give hermit crabs a home" and contribute to conservation efforts.

The event runs from May 1st to October 31st, 2016, every Friday and Saturday evening from 7:30 to 8:30 PM, with professional guides provided by the East Coast Administration. Additionally, appointments are accepted from Sunday to Thursday, with a minimum group size of 10 people.

For event details and registration, you may call the “Night Visit to Little Yehliu” reservation hotline: (089) 281530, or visit the East Coast Administration’s website and the Facebook fan page “Night Visit to Little Yehliu.” Those wishing to donate empty shells may send them to: No. 500, Section 1, Songjiang Road, Taitung City, Taitung County, Taiwan (East Coast Administration Taitung Management Station — Little Yehliu Recreation Area).