The natural monument Peregrine Falcon and Ural Owl, injured in an accident, completed treatment and rehabilitation training at the Gyeonggi-do Wildlife Rescue and Management Center and were released back into the wild on the 21st.
The Peregrine Falcon is Natural Monument No. 323-1 and a Class 2 endangered species designated by the Ministry of Environment. It was rescued in early February this year in Gwangju, Gyeonggi-do, with a severe laceration on its right wing suspected to be caused by a collision.
The Ural Owl (Natural Monument No. 324-5), rescued in late January in Bucheon, showed symptoms of severe concussion and unilateral flight abnormalities after colliding with a glass wall. The Ural Owl is a rare wild animal in the southern region of Gyeonggi-do, having been rescued again after about four years since one was rescued in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi-do in 2020.
The Gyeonggi-do Wildlife Rescue and Management Center in Pyeongtaek immediately performed suturing and disinfection on the Peregrine Falcon’s laceration and administered antibiotics and other medications. In the case of the Ural Owl, oxygen therapy and medication were conducted simultaneously. After their conditions improved, the Peregrine Falcon and Ural Owl underwent about a month of rehabilitation training.
Over the past three years, Gyeonggi-do has rescued 958 cases of rare protected species such as natural monuments Mandarin Ducks and Siberian Flying Squirrels. Among these, 542 cases (release rate 56.6%) were returned to the wild.
Shin Byung-ho, Director of the Animal Welfare Division of Gyeonggi-do, stated, "Gyeonggi-do is the only metropolitan local government operating two wildlife rescue and management centers in Pyeongtaek and Yeoncheon." He added, "Beyond rescuing and treating wildlife, we plan to operate ‘Wildlife Ecological Conservation Learning’ starting at the end of March to promote a culture of ecosystem protection."
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