Gyeonggi-do Surpasses 500 Monthly Wildlife Rescue Cases for the First Time... 535 Cases in May

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] The number of wild animal rescue cases in Gyeonggi Province exceeded 500 in May alone.

The Gyeonggi Province Wildlife Rescue Management Center announced on the 22nd that the total number of wild animal rescue cases in May reached 535, marking the highest monthly rescue count since the center opened in 2009.

Considering that the center's average annual rescue cases are around 2,000, 26.7% of this year's expected rescues were concentrated in May alone.

In particular, among the wild animals rescued in May, 351 were orphaned young animals (337 birds and 14 mammals), accounting for 65.6% of the total cases. Additionally, 45 cases (8.4%) involved injuries caused by collisions with building windows.

The center explained that the high number of orphaned young animals rescued in May is due to many springtime visitors and hikers reporting young birds in the 'iso (離巢)' stage that cannot yet fly.

The iso stage is the first milestone for young birds to independently step into the wild and an important period for acquiring the skills necessary to survive in nature. Accordingly, the center urged special care when rescuing young birds that cannot fly.

Park Kyung-ae, head of the Animal Protection Division of the province, stated, "Unless young birds require special treatment, it is best for them to live naturally as part of the wild ecosystem."