Ministry of Environment Plots Return of the Dung Beetle to S. Korea's Wild

Last November, the South Korean Ministry of Environment put out an announcement stating its intention to acquire 50 adult dung beetles for the price of 50 million won, the reason being the suspected extinction of these insects in South Korea. (Image: National Institute of Biological Resources)

YEONGYANG COUNTY, March 19 (Korea Bizwire) — Last November, the South Korean Ministry of Environment put out an announcement stating its intention to acquire 50 adult dung beetles for the price of 50 million won, the reason being the suspected extinction of these insects in South Korea.

Along with the purchased dung beetles, the newly constructed National Institute of Ecology center dedicated to the restoration and bolstering of endangered wildlife will also bring in five sika deer from Mongolia and Russia in the latter half of the year. (Image: National Institute of Ecology)

Along with the purchased dung beetles, a newly constructed National Institute of Ecology center dedicated to the restoration and bolstering of endangered wildlife will also bring in five sika deer, both from Mongolia and Russia, in the latter half of the year.

This center, slated to open later on this year, is aiming to take in 43 endangered species by 2030 and introduce 20 of them back into the wild. Currently in South Korea, there are 267 species of wildlife that are categorized as endangered, and of these, 60 are classified as critically endangered.

Dung beetle populations are believed to have suffered as utilizing manufactured feed and antibiotics has become popular in the cattle husbandry industry, resulting in a dearth of cow manure suitable as food for the dung beetle.