Gyeonggi Province Launches “Northern Gyeonggi Wildlife Ecology Observation Center” Project, Set to Open in Yeoncheon in 2027

Design Phase Begins for the Northern Gyeonggi Wildlife Ecology Observation Center

Significant Expansion of Rehabilitation and Reintegration Training Functions at the Northern Wildlife Rescue and Management Center

Gyeonggi Province announced on April 12, 2026 that it has launched the basic and detailed design phases for the “Northern Gyeonggi Wildlife Ecology Observation Center.” The initiative aims to support the systematic rehabilitation of wildlife and provide hands-on ecological education to local residents.

Current state of Gyeonggi Northern Wildlife Rescue and Management Center. Provided by Gyeonggi Province

The province plans to utilize a 14,852-square-meter site adjacent to the Northern Wildlife Rescue and Management Center in Jeongok-eup, Yeoncheon County. The existing functions, which have focused on rescue and treatment, will be greatly expanded to include rehabilitation and education.

The main objective of this project is to respond to the increasing demand for wildlife rescue and to establish a comprehensive rehabilitation system that connects rescue and treatment with a return to the wild. The center will enhance environments for rehabilitation training that reflect the behavioral traits of wildlife, with a particular focus on improving the rate of successful natural reintegration.

Alongside strengthening the center’s functions, ecological education programs will be expanded outdoors. Gyeonggi Province plans to broaden its previously indoor-focused education programs to include outdoor ecological spaces, allowing for more diverse educational models. The goal is to vividly communicate the value of coexistence between wildlife and humans through open, outdoor learning spaces.

The first phase of the project will receive a total investment of 5.1 billion won in national and provincial funding, out of an overall project budget of 7.3 billion won, with completion targeted for the end of 2027. From the design stage, experts in wildlife, environment, architecture, geotechnical engineering, and electrical and communications fields will participate to ensure a comprehensive review—providing an optimal rehabilitation environment for wildlife and a safe, pleasant educational space for residents.

Aerial view of the Northern Gyeonggi Wildlife Ecology Observation Center. Provided by Gyeonggi Province

Jung Bongsoo, Director of Animal Welfare at Gyeonggi Province, stated, “The creation of the Ecology Observation Center will be a turning point, greatly expanding and enhancing the functions of the Wildlife Rescue and Management Center to include rehabilitation and education. We will do our utmost to help residents experience the value of ecological conservation and move closer to a world where animals and humans coexist, through diverse outdoor ecological education programs.”

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