 During its organizing phase in 1996, the museum has accepted the commission of the Council of Agriculture to set up "Rescue and Assistance Project for Trapped Whales Ashore" and take care of trapped whales. In 1997, the museum applied for the establishment of "Marine Life Sheltering Center" to assist local governments and court houses to take care of confiscated marine species that are under conservation. In 1999, the museum was officially opened and had complete facilities. Because of the participation of professional vets, the sheltering center also offered medical treatment services. In 2000, the sheltering center integrated "Rescue and Assistance Project for Trapped Whales Ashore" to operate "Marine Life Sheltering and Caring Project" until now. The main affairs of the center include sheltering for confiscated illegal arowana, sheltering and medical treatment of injured turtles, medical treatment and rehabilitation of trapped whales and dolphins. Among these affairs, caring for the turtles has been the most effective one. Most of the turtles have been released back to the nature after became health. The center not only shelter and provide medical treatment to conserved marine species, but also actively provide information of samples and pathological analysis for all research units to use. These include the blood, body tissue, and bacteria of whales and dolphins. Furthermore, the center continues to conduct promotion events and education activities themed on marine life conservation. For example, the center has organized special exhibitions, symposiums, published reading materials, and also invited schools to participate the public animal release of marine species. The center wished that besides doing sheltering, caring and researching jobs, it could also inspire better awareness of the concept of animal conservation of the people in Taiwan. |