Three Endangered Species Including Gureongi Snake and Owl Discovered for the First Time in Gayasan National Park
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] During this year's natural resource survey of Gayasan National Park, three second-class endangered wild species?Kureongi (rat snake), owl, and Daeheungran (a type of orchid)?were discovered for the first time.
The Kureongi, a large reptile belonging to the snake family, was found in July in the Baegundong area of Gayasan. The Kureongi is the largest snake species native to Korea, and its population has sharply declined nationwide. Its typical length ranges from 110 to 220 cm, and the individual found this time is estimated to be about 150 cm long.
The owl was confirmed to inhabit the area earlier this year after being captured by an unmanned sensor camera in the Haeinsa area of Gayasan. Living alone in the forest and mainly active at night, it has keen hearing and well-developed beak and claws.
Daeheungran, belonging to the orchid family, is a saprophytic plant that survives by obtaining nutrients from organic-rich humus soil. In August, 15 individuals were found living in the Baegundong area of Gayasan. It is mainly known to inhabit Jeju Island and the southern coastal areas, so discovering its habitat in the inland region of Gyeongbuk is very rare.
Gayasan is home to a total of 33 endangered wild species, including three first-class endangered species such as otters, hawks, and small-nosed bats, as well as 30 second-class species including the three newly discovered ones.
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Kim Kyung-chul, head of the Gayasan National Park Office at the Korea National Park Service, stated, "The three newly discovered species, including the Kureongi, are the first endangered wild species found since Gayasan was designated as a national park in 1972," adding, "This discovery confirms the excellent ecological health of Gayasan National Park."
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