SEOUL, Apr. 2 (Korea Bizwire) – South Korea is commemorating Endangered Species Day with a weeklong campaign aimed at promoting conservation efforts for threatened wildlife, the Ministry of Environment announced on April 1.
Designated in 2021, this year marks the fourth annual observation of Endangered Species Day in the country. The date of April 1 was chosen to mark the initial steps taken in 1987 to protect endangered species, when specific wild plants and animals were officially designated under the country’s Environmental Conservation Act.
Under the theme “Humans and Nature Reunite,” various events are planned for the awareness week. On April 2nd, 500 thick-shelled river mussels, classified as a critically endangered species, will be released into the Namgang River in Hamyang County, South Gyeongsang Province.
On April 4, a policy forum on endangered species protection will be held at the Suwon Convention Center in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province. The following day, April 5, will see a commemorative ceremony take place at the Hantaek Botanical Garden in Yongin.
Beginning this month, the ministry will also highlight a “Wild Endangered Species of the Month” to raise public awareness. The first species selected is the Siberian flying squirrel, which has been designated as an endangered species class II since 1998.
Inhabiting mountain regions across the country except for islands, the Siberian flying squirrel is an indicator species reflecting the health of the nation’s forest ecosystems. Its population has declined due to indiscriminate logging that destroys the tree cavities it uses for nesting.
Recently, concerns have grown over the illegal trade of Siberian flying squirrels as pets, fueled by the popularity of similar-looking species like the Japanese flying squirrel and the North American flying squirrel as exotic pets.
Under South Korean law, unauthorized capture, collection, damage or killing of class II endangered species can result in imprisonment of up to three years or fines ranging from 3 million won to 30 million won. Processing, distributing, storing, exporting, importing or transporting such species is punishable by up to two years in prison or fines up to 20 million won.
Currently, there are 282 species listed as endangered in South Korea, comprising 68 critically endangered species and 214 endangered species.
Image credit: Korea National Park Service, Ministry of Environment / photonews@koreabizwire.com
