Industrial and commercial development and the destruction of wetlands had reduced the pheasant-tailed jacana's range until it was mostly found in the water-caltrop fields of Kuantien Rural Township, Tainan County. With the planned high-speed rail line slated to pass through Kuantien's wetlands, the bird's fate appeared to be sealed.
隨著工商業發展、濕地消失，水雉的主要分佈只侷限台南縣官田鄉菱角田，規劃中的高鐵路線將經過官田濕地，更彷彿註定了水雉的厄運。