Commemorative Stamps Featuring Internationally Endangered Species Like the Saltwater Crocodile to Be Issued

On July 2, Korea Post announced that it will issue commemorative stamps featuring four endangered wild animal species: the Saltwater Crocodile, King Cobra, Pancake Tortoise, and Rhinoceros Iguana.

Since 1975, the international community has strictly regulated international trade through the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

To date, approximately 40,000 species worldwide have been registered as endangered and are protected under CITES, including the Saltwater Crocodile and other species featured on the stamps.

However, the illegal trade of these endangered species continues to increase. In Korea as well, the number of permit applications related to the import of endangered species has risen sharply.

According to the Ministry of Environment, the number of export and import permits for internationally endangered species increased from 7,280 in 2022 to 11,535 in 2024, more than a 1.5-fold increase.

The number of violations related to the smuggling of wild fauna and flora also surged from 7 cases in 2021 to 31 cases in 2024. In particular, it is known that many reptile species protected under CITES are frequently traded illegally through online communities and social media platforms.

Korea Post decided to issue the commemorative stamps to raise public awareness about the importance of biodiversity and the urgent need to protect endangered species. The aim is to contribute to eradicating illegal trade in wild fauna and flora and to increase interest in conservation activities.

A total of 544,000 commemorative stamps will be issued starting from July 9. They can be purchased at nearby main post offices or through the online post office.