Eagles Wintering in Ulsan (Image provided by the Clean Energy Promoting Citizen’s Forum)
ULSAN, Nov. 19 (Korea Bizwire) – A flock of eagles, which migrate to Ulsan each winter, was spotted for the first time this season in the Ipam Field area of Ulju-gun’s Beomseo-eup on November 16.
According to the Clean Energy Promoting Citizen’s Forum (CEPCF), which monitors and feeds the birds annually, 17 eagles were initially observed, with the number rising to 60 after food was provided on November 19.
The eagles migrate from the Ikh Nart Nature Reserve in Mongolia to escape harsh winters, a pattern confirmed by wing tags placed by Mongolian researchers and tracking devices attached to rehabilitated birds in Korea. The journey spans approximately 3,400 kilometers, with most migratory eagles being juveniles aged 1 to 3 years, often displaced from adult territories.
Listed as a Natural Monument and a Grade 2 Endangered Species by Korea’s Ministry of Environment, the eagles primarily scavenge on animal carcasses due to their limited hunting abilities. In Ulsan, CEPCF supports their survival by providing 200–300 kilograms of livestock byproducts twice a week during their stay from mid-November to late March.
The forum also organizes an educational program, “Eagle School,” to observe and study the birds’ behavior. This winter, the program will be held in February or March before the eagles return to Mongolia.
“In the past, up to 500 eagles spent the winter in Ulsan, but recent numbers have dropped to around 100–200. We hope these eagles will survive the winter here and safely return to Mongolia,” said Hwang In-seok, Secretary-General of the Green Energy Forum.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
