A sighting of a first-class endangered species, the otter, in downtown Busan has attracted attention.
Eurasian otter, a natural monument and a first-class endangered wild species [Image source=Yonhap News]
According to the Busan Fire and Disaster Headquarters on the 19th, a report was received at 8:27 p.m. the previous day of an otter seen on a road in Millak-dong, Suyeong-gu, Busan. The reporter, Kang Mo (31), was walking from Millakhoe Center toward the Millak-dong Administrative Welfare Center for dinner when he suddenly saw an animal that looked like a cat darting by.
Kang said, "At first, I thought it was a stray cat because it passed by quickly, but when I looked closely because of its long tail, I estimated it was an otter. This animal, presumed to be an otter, was in the middle of the road without making any sound and then quickly ran away." He added, "I usually like otters and know their characteristics well, so I recognized it." The animal then fled to a nearby apartment and disappeared.
The otter is registered as a first-class endangered wild species by the Ministry of Environment and is a natural monument. Near the location where the animal was found is the Suyeong River. It has been known for several years that otters inhabit this river. Although the otter population once sharply declined due to environmental destruction, it can now occasionally be seen in urban streams as water quality has improved.
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