'Siberian Stork' Arrives... Natural Monument and First-Class Endangered Wildlife Spotted in Ulsan

The Stork Has Arrived!

Ulsan City announced on the 23rd that the Oriental stork, a natural monument and a Class I endangered wild species, has been frequently visiting the fields of Cheongok-dong, Buk-gu, Ulsan since mid-this month. Experts believe that this stork did not come from a release or escape related to restoration projects but migrated from Siberia and other regions for wintering.

The stork was first spotted on the 13th in a rice paddy in front of resident Kim Chi-hong's house. Mr. Kim took photos of the bird feeding in the field and inquired with Ulsan City, which soon confirmed it was a stork.

Later, on the morning of the 15th around 8:30 AM, Mr. Kim reported to Ulsan City after seeing one stork feeding and roaming the fields.

Upon receiving the report, Ulsan City officials, along with photographer Yoon Ki-deuk, visited the site. Despite the rain, photographer Yoon was able to capture images of the stork and a great egret feeding without being disturbed by their surroundings.

Ornithologist Dr. Kim Sung-soo stated, “The proximity of Sunkumsan and Dongcheon provides a safe area with minimal human interference and abundant food,” adding, “The appearance of rare migratory birds in Buk-gu, Ulsan, and Ulju-gun is evidence of environmental improvement.”

Since 2008, Ulsan City has been continuously monitoring winter migratory birds at places like Taehwa River and Dongcheon from November to March each year.

In Ulsan, Oriental storks were observed in the autumns of 2015 and 2017 at the Taehwa River estuary. The Oriental stork is classified as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List and is an internationally protected species, with approximately 2,499 individuals surviving worldwide.

In Korea, the Oriental stork became extinct after the last individual was killed by poachers in Eumseong-gun in 1971. In 1996, two storks were imported from Germany and Russia, and artificial breeding has been conducted since 2002 at the Chungnam Yesan Oriental Stork Restoration Center. The restored storks in Yesan wear bands on their legs.

The stork that recently visited Ulsan has no leg bands, suggesting it came down from Siberia.

A white stork captured in Ulsan. [Image source=Photo by Yoon Ki-deuk]

A white stork captured in Ulsan. [Image source: Photo by Yoon Ki-deuk]

Storks and great egrets captured in Ulsan.
[Image source=Photo by Yoon Ki-deuk]

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