Sudden Drop in Wing Flaps... Wintering of Eagles from Mongolia, Ulsan City Also Steps Up Support

Support for Cattle and Pig By-products Twice Weekly from January to March

Plans to Monitor Growth Conditions and Operate Ecological Experience Center

Ulsan City will provide food support for wintering eagles from the 17th through March.

This support began after it was revealed that the Green Energy Citizens Promotion Forum, a civic group, has been carrying out eagle feeding activities with sponsorship from companies and citizens but has been struggling due to budget shortages. Mayor Kim Doo-gyeom instructed the establishment of a support plan.

The eagle food consists of by-products from cattle and pigs (such as fat and internal organs), and about 3,360 kg will be provided in total, twice a week (Wednesdays and Saturdays), with 160 kg per feeding.

Along with providing food, Ulsan City will monitor the eagles' growth conditions and population, and plans to operate a feeding and ecological experience center in the future.

Hwang In-seok, Secretary General of the Green Energy Citizens Promotion Forum, said, “The number of eagles visiting Ulsan decreased from about 150 last year to around 70 due to food shortages,” adding, “We expect that Ulsan City’s food support will greatly help the eagles to overwinter.”

An official from Ulsan City stated, “We hope that the eagles visiting Ulsan will spend the winter healthily and return to Mongolia,” and added, “We also plan to create a space where people can observe and experience the ecology of eagles that come down to the feeding site.”

The eagle, a natural monument and a second-class endangered wild species, is the largest bird among those visiting Korea. During the breeding season in summer, it lives in Mongolia and southeastern China, then flies about 3,400 km to visit the Korean Peninsula (including Goseong, Gimhae, Geoje, and Ulsan).

Also known as the “cleaner of the ecosystem,” the eagle feeds on animal carcasses, helping prevent the spread of diseases caused by pathogens. However, due to food shortages, some eagles mistakenly eat ropes, strings, or Styrofoam as food or become exhausted from starvation, and are rescued annually by the Ulsan Wildlife Rescue Center. Among the rescued eagles, number 66 (Daebak) returned to Mongolia in March 2021 but came back to Ulsan in November of the same year.

A group of eagles wintering in Korea are fighting over livestock carcass food.
[Image source=Yonhap News]