Taipei Zoo is holding an exhibit on Taiwan's endangered salamanders, hoping to educate people about the rare species and why they need protection.
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00:00 Small and slender. These slimy amphibians might be mistaken for lizards, but they're
00:06 a rare type of salamander. Having traveled across the northern hemisphere
00:10 a hundred thousand years ago, they found a new home in Taiwan. And they're the
00:16 smallest type of salamander out there. But these ancient creatures are facing
00:20 some modern challenges. Being cold-blooded and having thin skin makes them
00:25 sensitive to temperature changes, so they've had to adapt to the changing
00:29 climate.
00:31 Researchers from National Taiwan University say many of the river bats
00:44 salamanders rely on have dried up, posing another threat. The humans are also
00:50 posing a risk to the tiny creatures. Researchers say people hiking and
00:54 camping in the mountains and by the rivers have affected their habitats. It made it
00:59 harder for them to survive.
01:02 The government aims to shed light on the plight of these tiny creatures, so people
01:18 know how to have outdoor adventures that do not disturb the world around them, in
01:22 the hopes that these salamanders can remain at home in Taiwan. Brian Wu and
01:28 Irene Lin for Taiwan Plus.
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