Extinct 'Pyo-beom' Thought to Return... "Suspected to Be Wild Dogs"

Expert: "Estimated to be shore animals like dogs and raccoons"
"Front and hind footprints overlapping may have made them appear larger"

As a result of investigating footprints believed to have been left by a leopard in Yeongju-si, Gyeongbuk, it was estimated that the footprints belonged to a feral dog.

A leopard caught in 1944 on Sinbul Mountain in the Yeongnam Alps, Ulsan. [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 26th, Seomunhong, a researcher at the National Institute of Biological Resources, who examined animal footprints left in a field in Yeongju-si, said, "They are estimated to be footprints of canids such as dogs or raccoon dogs," adding, "They are not footprints of felids like leopards."

Researcher Seo cited the symmetrical nature of the footprints and the presence of claw marks on all footprints as reasons for estimating them to be canid footprints. He added that felid footprints are not symmetrical and do not show claw marks.

He explained, "Considering the size of the footprints, they appear to be feral dog footprints," and "The front and hind footprints overlapped, making the prints appear larger."

Earlier on the 26th, according to the police, a report was received at 9:45 p.m. on the 24th stating, "A leopard came down to the yard."

The reporter, a woman in her 50s, was investigated to have found unidentified footprints in a field behind a house opposite Yeonggwang High School in Sangmang-dong, Yeongju-si, three days prior.

The reporter stated, "After checking with the Wildlife Protection Association, I received a response estimating it to be a leopard."

The police informed the reporter, "If it fled to the mountain, searching will be difficult," and then, together with the fire department, conducted an on-site inspection until 3:20 a.m. the following day.

On the 24th, a report was received that several footprints presumed to be from a leopard were found in a field in Yeongju-si, Gyeongbuk. The photo shows footprints presumed to be from a leopard, taken by officials from the Yeongju Environmental Protection Division during an on-site investigation.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Leopards, along with tigers, were animals commonly inhabiting the Korean Peninsula, but their numbers drastically declined due to the 'Hesoo Eradication Project' during the Japanese colonial period (a project that indiscriminately captured tigers and leopards as harmful animals). It is presumed that they became virtually extinct after the last individual was captured in 1962 at Odosan, Hapcheon, Gyeongnam.

However, in 2013, footprints presumed to be from a leopard were found in Wonju, and with the recent report from Yeongju, there has been speculation that some leopard individuals might still inhabit the Gyeongbuk and Gangwon areas.

Meanwhile, on the 13th, a report was received in Yeongju of a 1-meter-long crocodile sighting at Museomgyo Bridge in Museom Village, prompting authorities to conduct a ten-day search. Although no crocodiles or signs of crocodile habitation were found during this process, a leopard cat, a species designated as endangered and protected by the Ministry of Environment, was discovered.

For safety, a search team belonging to the Yeongju Environmental Protection Division continues to patrol regularly.

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