National Heritage Administration Designates Management Organization for Natural Monument "Musk Deer"

Korea Musk Deer Protection Association
Conducting Habitat Surveys

The National Heritage Administration announced on June 26 that it has designated the Korea Musk Deer Protection Association as the management organization for the systematic preservation of the natural monument "musk deer." This marks the fifth time a management organization has been selected for a natural monument. Previously designated organizations include the Korea Association for Bird Protection (birds) in 1996, the Korea Otter Protection Association (otters) in 2005, the Korea Goral Protection Association (gorals) in 2009, and the Korea Reeve's Turtle Protection Association (Reeve's turtles) in 2022.

Musk deer female

The musk deer is a rare animal whose population rarely increases. In the past, the musk was traded at high prices as an animal-based fragrance and medicinal ingredient, leading to mass capture and a sharp decline in the population. As a result, the National Heritage Administration designated the musk deer as a natural monument in November 1968.

This animal is distributed in Korea, China, Central Asia, Sakhalin, Siberia, and Mongolia. It typically inhabits rocky, high mountains at elevations above 1,000 meters, making it rarely seen.

The Korea Musk Deer Protection Association has been a leading organization in investigating and monitoring habitats. Going forward, it plans to promote activities for the protection of the musk deer, including winter feeding, securing genetic samples, as well as conducting surveys, rescues, educational programs, and academic research.