Appearance of Asian Black Bears around Baegunsan Mountain in Gwangyang

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik] Gwangyang City, Jeonnam, announced on the 10th that the Asiatic black bear, the protagonist of the Dangun myth, designated as Natural Monument No. 329 and a Class I endangered wild animal, has appeared in the Baegunsan area of Gwangyang City.

The Asiatic black bear is found in areas where oak species, which bear acorns that serve as their staple food, are abundant. It is known to move its habitat to secure food, breeding grounds, and territory.

The currently appeared Asiatic black bear has been identified as individual RM-68, and the dedicated team from the National Park Species Conservation Center is continuing real-time GPS tracking and protection activities.

The city has deployed six wildlife protection officers to create a safe habitat environment for the Asiatic black bear by intensively collecting illegal traps such as snares around the activity areas, and plans to strengthen the promotion of safety guidelines for residents to foster a natural ecosystem where humans and nature coexist.

Since 2015, Gwangyang City has been steadily conducting illegal trap collection activities in cooperation with the Gwangyang Environmental Movement Federation as part of the endangered species habitat restoration project. Last year, it installed warning signs about the appearance of the Asiatic black bear, and this year, it collected about 300 illegal traps, continuing efforts to create a habitat environment for endangered species.

Jo Hee-su, Director of the Resource Circulation Division, said, “The appearance of the Asiatic black bear in Gwangyang is evidence that the area is suitable as a habitat,” and added, “We will take the lead in promoting safety guidelines to protect the Asiatic black bear and ensure residents’ safety.”