Mandarin Ducks, a Natural Monument, Spotted at Jusangji in Juwangsan National Park

A male mandarin duck found at Jusangji in Juwangsan National Park. (Photo by Juwangsan National Park Office, Korea National Park Service)

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Park Dong-wook] The Juwangsan National Park Office of the Korea National Park Service on the 7th released photos of a mandarin duck (Natural Monument No. 327) found at 'Jusanchi,' a lake located within the national park.

The mandarin duck, belonging to the family Anatidae of the order Anseriformes, breeds from April to July in valleys or reservoirs. The male mandarin duck found at Jusanchi was captured by an unmanned sensor camera on this day.

Among visitors, sightings of mandarin ducks at Jusanchi have been reported for several years, but this is the first time their image has been captured on camera.

The Juwangsan National Park Office has designated the Jusanchi area as a special protection zone since 2009, strictly managing natural monuments and other flora and fauna.

Located in Juwangsan-myeon, Cheongsong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Jusanchi is a lake that began construction in 1720 during the reign of King Sukjong of the Joseon Dynasty and was completed in 1721 during King Gyeongjong's reign. It is famous for the king willow trees that grow submerged in the water.