Pocheon-si Conducts Crackdown on Wildlife Poaching and Illegal Trap Collection Activities

Pocheon City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Baek Young-hyun) announced on the 12th that it conducted a crackdown on wildlife poaching and collected illegal trapping devices in the Seongdong-ri area of Yeongjung-myeon on the 10th.

Pocheon City conducted a crackdown on wildlife poaching and collected illegal trapping devices in the Seongdong-ri area of Yeongjung-myeon on the 10th. Photo by Pocheon City

About 30 people participated in this activity, including the Pocheon Branch of the Wildlife Management Association (President Jeong Yong-gyun), the Pocheon Wildlife Protection Volunteer Group (Leader Baek Seong-gi), and the Pest Wildlife Damage Prevention Team.

The crackdown and collection were carried out by dividing the area within a 2.5 km radius north of Gwangmyeong Rest Area in Yeongjung-myeon, where the frequency of wildlife appearances is high in winter, into three zones. As a result, more than 20 illegal trapping devices such as snares, spring traps, and leg-hold traps were collected and all were disposed of.

In addition, Pocheon City plans to support the installation of wildlife damage prevention facilities (electric fences, repellents) to prevent some farmers from setting up illegal trapping devices to protect crops, and actively promote the activities of the damage prevention team.

Choi Myung-sik, Director of the Climate and Environment Division, said, “To create an environment where wildlife can safely inhabit, joint public-private crackdowns as well as active reports and interest from citizens are necessary,” urging people to participate in wildlife protection and the eradication of poaching activities.

Meanwhile, if wildlife poaching is detected, under the 'Wildlife Protection and Management Act,' offenders may face imprisonment of up to two years or a fine of up to 20 million won. Additionally, those who eat, transport, store, or facilitate such acts involving wildlife may be subject to imprisonment of up to one year or a fine of up to 10 million won.