JEJU, March 13 (Korea Bizwire) — After the ousting of the stray cats from Marado Island for the safety of crested murrelets, pet dogs on the island are also rising as a risk factor against the endangered bird species.
The World Heritage Office of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province recently advised island officials to impose strict regulations on managing pet dogs on the island.
The office now requires all pet dogs to be kept on a leash at all cultural protection zones on the island, and has restricted the entry of pet dogs without their guardians.
A number of animal protection agencies have said they believe pet dogs are a major threat to the crested murrelet population, while arguing that stray cats may or may not be responsible for the shrinking population of the endangered birds on the island.
There are currently seven pet dogs on the island. While it is unclear whether they are a danger to the crested murrelets, there are reasons to believe so, the agencies say.
In fact, large dogs on both Marado Island and Jeju Island are seen without a leash on many occasions.
Image Credit: Yonhap / photonews@koreabizwire.com
