The endangered Korean gorals (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
YANGGU, Mar. 15 (Korea Bizwire) – For many, heavy snowfall paints a picture of tranquil landscapes, creating a winter wonderland that captures the season’s romantic essence. However, this idyllic scene belies the tough reality faced by wildlife, as they struggle to endure the harsh conditions.
This is particularly true for the endangered Korean goral in Gangwon Province’s mountainous terrains in South Korea.
This winter has hit the Korean goral hard. Revered as a national treasure, this species is on the edge of extinction.
The relentless snowstorms have covered their food sources, pushing these animals towards exhaustion and exposing them to the bitter cold.
Alarmingly, this season has seen over 300 gorals die, which is about 15% of the population estimated to live in South Korea.
This season has seen over 300 gorals die, which is about 15% of the population estimated to live in South Korea. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
To combat this, conservation efforts are in full swing at the Yanggu Goral and Musk Deer Center in Gangwon Province.
Dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of these animals, the center has encountered extraordinary challenges this winter.
Cho Jae-woon, the center’s director, remarked, “The snowfalls this winter have been catastrophic for the gorals. Feeding them has turned into an enormous challenge, consuming all our weekends for rescue missions.”
Despite their valiant efforts, the team could not save every goral. The center managed to rescue 14 gorals, but 31 died post-rescue, and 335 were found dead, victims of the severe living conditions and the intense fight for limited resources.
Dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of the gorals, the center has encountered extraordinary challenges this winter. (Image courtesy of Yanggu County)
Cho noted that the older and weaker males, often ousted by their stronger counterparts, have faced the toughest survival battles.
The toll on males has been particularly heavy, accounting for over 80% of the deaths. The center’s staff has sacrificed their weekends, facing the harsh weather to save these stranded animals.
“The early snows have transformed their habitat into a harsh environment, making food scarce and increasing their fatigue from the ongoing snow,” said Cho.
To help, the center has been actively providing food to the gorals, but reaching many of these feeding sites has been a challenge, with heavy snow making them inaccessible by vehicle.
Tragically, dead gorals have been found near these feeding sites, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
The center is calling for increased support to tackle these extreme conditions. With heavy snowfalls becoming more common due to changing weather patterns, the current resources are not enough to ensure the gorals’ safety.
To help, the center has been actively providing food to the gorals. (Image courtesy of Yanggu County)
Moreover, there is a pressing need for a compensation system for residents impacted by the gorals, similar to those for other wildlife like wild boars and deer.
Despite these hurdles, the center is preparing the rescued gorals for a return to the wild, planning to re-release them between May and October after health assessments. They will be tracked via radio transmitters to monitor their reintegration into the wild.
Cho said, “While we’ve always had release events, this year’s will hold special importance. With the increased attention and concern for the gorals this winter, we’re hopeful for continued public support as these magnificent creatures make their way back to their natural habitats.”
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
