Farmers, Poultry Breeders, and Communities Join Hands to Protect Leopard Cat Habitats and Earn Ecological Salaries

Nantou County Government hosted an award ceremony to honor farmers, poultry breeders, and community patrol teams participating in the Leopard Cat Ecological Service Payment Program. By adopting eco-friendly practices such as not using herbicides or rat poisons, participants receive an "ecological salary." Since 2019, over NT$38 million in rewards has been distributed. With 165 farmers qualifying last year and leopard cats captured on camera in 78 of their farmlands, the initiative has successfully expanded the feline's habitat from Nantou to neighboring counties like Changhua and Yunlin, making a significant impact on conservation.