Goats, designated as one of the world’s 100 worst invasive alien species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), have been multiplying and devouring indigenous plants on inhabited and uninhabited islands around Korea. (image: Yonhap)
SEOUL, March 31 (Korea Bizwire) — The Korea National Park Service (KNPS) is planning to capture about 160 goats that are currently disturbing the ecosystems of two Korean islands, before the end of the year.
Goats, designated as one of the world’s 100 worst invasive alien species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), have been multiplying and devouring indigenous plants on inhabited and uninhabited islands around Korea.
The problem goats are usually raised by island residents and put out to pasture, grazing freely and possibly carrying diseases in their feces that could also trigger water and soil contamination.
Residents on islands designated as national parks by the KNPS are permitted to raise up-to five livestock animals per home without having to report to authorities. However, some residents have allowed their animals to run wild, and as a result, the KNPS has seized 2,612 goats on national park islands since 2007.
The KNPS has a long-term plan to capture 775 more goats on 17 national park islands. The organization will return seized animals to their owners on condition that they prevent them from grazing freely, and it will also replenish the islands’ flora with indigenous plants.
By J. W. Choi (summerchoi@koreabizwire.com)
