Ministry of Environment to Shift Zoos from 'Registration System to Permit System' and Ban Wild Animal Exhibitions in Cafes

Announcement of Key Initiatives for the 2022 Natural Conservation Sector Work Plan

(Photo for reference)

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] The government has decided to strengthen wildlife welfare by converting zoos, which were previously operated under a registration system, to a permit system, and to ban the exhibition of wild animals in non-zoo facilities such as animal cafes, which have been management blind spots.

On the 13th, the Ministry of Environment announced the "2022 Major Work Plan for Nature Conservation" containing these details.

First, the Ministry of Environment will promote ▲elimination of blind spots in wildlife protection and management ▲strengthening management of endangered species and invasive species ▲proactive management of wildlife imports and diseases.

Through the revision of the "Act on the Management of Zoos and Aquariums," zoos previously operated under a registration system will be converted to a permit system. The main permit requirements include habitat standards by animal species, professional personnel standards, and disease and safety management plans. Additionally, the "Wildlife Protection and Management Act" will be revised to ban the exhibition of wild animals in places such as wildlife cafes.

An official from the Ministry of Environment said, "Currently, raccoons, meerkats, prairie dogs, amphibians, and reptiles are exhibited in wildlife cafes," adding, "Exhibiting wild animals indoors is ecologically undesirable, so we are considering relocating them to zoos or similar facilities."

A management system for abandoned or privately bred wild animals will also be established. Two protection facilities for abandoned invasive wild animals will be constructed, and before these facilities open, a temporary protection system (for four species including raccoons and prairie dogs) will be operated in collaboration with 10 wildlife rescue centers. Furthermore, to prevent abandonment and loss, a pilot registration project will be conducted targeting raccoons, which are classified as "ecosystem-disturbing species," and promotional activities will be carried out to spread sound awareness about wild animals.

Efforts to enhance biodiversity through strengthened management of endangered species and invasive species will also be undertaken. The designation of two new special wildlife protection areas will be pursued, and in cooperation with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the third comprehensive roadkill reduction plan will be established. Additionally, institutional improvements will be promoted to reduce wildlife damage caused by artificial structures such as bird collisions. Approximately 150 additional invasive species of concern that may harm the domestic ecosystem upon entry will be added, and customs inspections at the clearance stage will be strengthened in collaboration with the Korea Customs Service to eradicate illegal imports. The construction of a quarantine facility to professionally check for diseases in imported wild animals will also commence.

To expand natural healing and rest, the Ministry of Environment will also promote ▲creation of national parks in harmony with local communities ▲strengthening ecosystem services. Various accommodation infrastructure (109 buildings) and forest experience facilities (2 locations) will be expanded, and an ecological culture and education platform utilizing lowlands will be established to provide a foundation for regional coexistence. Furthermore, to improve living environments in remote island villages within marine national parks, projects supporting the supply of drinking water and installation of sewage treatment facilities will be promoted.

To respond to the climate crisis through nature conservation and restoration, efforts such as green restoration of the land and expansion of natural and ecosystem-based carbon sinks will be pursued. The restoration area of damaged natural environments such as wetland protection areas, ecological landscape conservation areas, and damaged national parks will be expanded from 876,000㎡ last year to 3.074 million ㎡ this year, a 3.5-fold increase. Additionally, projects such as restoration of green belts connecting local government trails and ecological restoration targeting polluted soil around the former Janghang smelter will be promoted.

Wetland conservation and management will also be strengthened. Support will be provided for Ramsar Wetland City certification for three locations: Seogwipo, Gochang, and Seocheon, and a new project for evaluating and enhancing wetland carbon absorption functions will be launched.

Kim Jong-ryul, Director of the Nature Conservation Bureau at the Ministry of Environment, said, "Ecological welfare is a new national demand in the era of climate and ecological crises," adding, "To meet this demand, we will actively promote natural policies for the coexistence of nature and humans."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.