Police File Suspect and Request Analysis of Citrus Components
Hundreds of birds died en masse after pecking at tangerine pulp in an orchard in Jeju.
On the 28th, the Jeju Autonomous Police Agency announced that they have booked and are investigating Mr. A on charges of violating the Wildlife Protection and Management Act.
A flock of birds that died after eating tangerines in an orchard in Namwon-eup, Seogwipo-si on the 27th. Photo by Korea Bird Protection Association Jeju Branch, Yonhap News
Mr. A is suspected of injecting pesticides into tangerines in an orchard in Namwon-eup, Seogwipo City, using a syringe, causing the death of about 200 birds including bulbuls and leafbirds that pecked at the fruit.
During the investigation, Mr. A reportedly made statements acknowledging intentionality.
The autonomous police collected samples of the dead birds and tangerines from the orchard and requested component analysis from the Jeju Provincial Institute of Health and Environment to determine the exact cause of death, while investigating the specific circumstances of the incident.
Meanwhile, the incident came to light after a passerby reported to the Jeju branch of the Korea Bird Protection Association on the 27th that "birds are dying in large numbers." The Korea Bird Protection Association, autonomous police, and Seogwipo City conducted an on-site investigation and suspected pesticide poisoning as the cause of death.
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