Hornet Attack in Taiwan Kenting Park Leaves Two Dead, Woman in Critical Condition
Crhk · 2 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
A tragic hornet attack has claimed two lives in Taiwan's Kenting National Park. Three members of a Kaohsiung hiking association were stung by a swarm of giant hornets while conducting a reconnaissance hike along the Lanren Creek to Chufengbi trail in Pingtung County's Manzhou Township. Two male leaders died at the scene, while the surviving female team member was rescued after enduring more than 30 hornet stings and is now receiving dialysis treatment for acute kidney failure.
Key Points
- Three members of the Kaohsiung Hiking Association—including a 67-year-old male leader (surname Chang), a 64-year-old male deputy leader (surname Yen), and a 55-year-old female team member (surname Chang)—were attacked by hornets on Wednesday, June 12, while scouting an ecological conservation route .
- The female survivor, Chang, called for help on Friday, June 14, reporting that her two male companions showed no vital signs, and was herself rescued the following morning with over 30 sting wounds on her face and back requiring intensive medical care .
- Rescue teams located Yen's body approximately 80 meters below a cliff on Saturday morning, June 15, after previously finding Chang's body elsewhere along the trail, with authorities arranging helicopter extraction for Sunday due to difficult terrain and weather conditions .
- Authorities have confirmed that the three victims entered the ecological protection zone without obtaining the required permits, noting that beyond designated open trails, the area consists of undeveloped wilderness with hidden terrain and wildlife hazards .
- The ecological conservation activity for which they were scouting had been scheduled for the same day as the attack, prompting officials to issue warnings against entering unauthorized areas within Kenting National Park's protected zones .
Why It Matters
This incident highlights the serious risks posed by wild hornet colonies in Taiwan's nature reserves and underscores the importance of obtaining proper permits before entering restricted ecological zones. For Hong Kong hikers and outdoor enthusiasts who frequently travel to Taiwan, this tragedy serves as a stark reminder to always stay within designated trails, conduct thorough research on local wildlife hazards, and prioritize safety measures when exploring unfamiliar wilderness areas.
This incident highlights the serious risks posed by wild hornet colonies in Taiwan's nature reserves and underscores the importance of obtaining proper permits before entering restricted ecological zones. For Hong Kong hikers and outdoor enthusiasts who frequently travel to Taiwan, this tragedy serves as a stark reminder to always stay within designated trails, conduct thorough research on local wildlife hazards, and prioritize safety measures when exploring unfamiliar wilderness areas.