Korea, Mongolia partner to bring back endangered bird after 5-decade absence
In 1968, amid the rapid industrialization of Korea, a quiet tragedy unfolded in a small river village in North Gyeongsang Province. The last known breeding pair of black storks in Korea vanished, driven out by habitat destruction and human encroachment. For nearly six decades, the majestic bird — a towering creature with iridescent black plumage, a stark white belly and a crimson beak — has…
In 1968, the last known breeding pair of black storks in Korea disappeared due to habitat destruction and human encroachment. For nearly six decades, the magnificent bird — characterized by its iridescent black feathers, white belly, and crimson beak — has been a rare winter visitor to the peninsula, with less than 20 individuals observed annually.
A joint ecological restoration project has been launched to reintroduce the species to Korea's skies. The Korean National Institute of Ecology, under the Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment, announced the collaboration with the Wildlife Science and Conservation Center of Mongolia. This five-year agreement, signed in Ulaanbaatar, involves importing healthy wild black storks from Mongolia to establish a self-sustaining breeding population in Korea.
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