Endangered Species 'Doksoori' Soars Over Daejeon Skies

by Jeong Ilwoong

Published 11 Feb.2020 08:50(KST)

An eagle flying low, discovered by the riverside in Daejeon. Provided by Daejeon City.

[Asia Economy (Daejeon) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] A vulture, an endangered species, was discovered in the skies over Daejeon. This is the first time a vulture has been found in Daejeon.

The Daejeon City government announced on the 11th that a vulture was observed recently in the area of 648 Jik-dong, Dong-gu, during the urban ecology map survey conducted by the Daejeon-Sejong Research Institute.

The vulture is classified as a second-class endangered wild species and Natural Monument No. 243-1, and this is the first observation of it in Daejeon.

Vultures mainly breed in Mongolia and usually visit South Korea to spend the winter, with Gangwon-do, Cheorwon, and Paju being the primary routes known for this representative winter migratory bird.

Recently, in Daejeon, ten legally protected bird species, including the endangered whooper swan, white-naped crane, goshawk, and Eurasian sparrowhawk, have been found near Gapcheon Stream, and white-tailed eagles and vultures have also been observed around Daecheongho Lake.

Previously, through a natural environment survey in 2014, the city discovered a total of 390 species, including four bird species such as the endangered white-tailed eagle. Since 2017, new legally protected species have been continuously discovered through annual ecosystem change observations.

Lee Yoon-gu, head of the Climate and Environmental Policy Division of the city, said, “Endangered species have been repeatedly discovered recently in Daejeon. This is a positive sign of natural ecological restoration. The city will continue to strive to create a healthy ecological city through various natural ecological restoration policies, including flagship species restoration representing the ecosystem, wetland management, creation of habitats, and connection of urban ecological corridors.”