Muju County to Host 'Aqua Zone Ecology Program'

Held on August 13 and 20
at Muju Bandiland Insect Museum

Muju County in North Jeolla Province will host the 'Aqua Zone Ecology Program' at the Muju Bandiland Insect Museum at 11:20 a.m. on August 13 and at 3:20 p.m. on August 20.

According to the county on August 11, the Aqua Zone Ecology Program uses the aquarium's otters and fish at Bandiland to provide ecological education and hands-on experiences. The program is available to visitors at Bandiland on those days.

Exterior view of Muju County Office. Provided by Muju County

During the program, participants will have the opportunity to hear a professional animal caretaker explain the ecological characteristics of tropical fish and large fish species from around the world.

Visitors will also be able to see fish native to the Geumgang River, such as Geumgangmoche and Noonbulgae, up close. There is also anticipation for meeting the Aqua Zone mascots, the small-clawed otters named Suri and Ari.

The Aqua Zone at Muju Bandiland is an ecological exhibition hall where native species from Muju?including fish, amphibians, and reptiles?as well as a wide variety of fish from around the world are on display. The space features a transparent acrylic hemisphere tunnel structure, making it especially suitable for observing large fish up close.

The facility exhibits and protects over 20 species of fish from the Geumgang River, otters, and various aquatic animals, including the Korean pond turtle, a natural monument that inhabits the Mujuguchondong Valley.

Kim Hyunyoung, head of the Bandiland Recreation Team in the County Facility and Sports Operations Division, said, "We hope that during this summer vacation, visitors will experience living ecosystems through the Aqua Zone Ecology Program at Muju Bandiland, and also enjoy the Insect Museum, water park, and year-round sledding hill."

Meanwhile, Muju Bandiland will remain open without its usual Monday closure during the summer peak season and the 29th Muju Firefly Festival. However, the water park and year-round sledding hill will be closed on Mondays for safety inspections and facility maintenance.

The site also features an Insect Museum with a collection of over 2,000 rare insect specimens, an astronomy science center, a youth training center, a youth camping ground, an outdoor water park, a year-round sledding hill, and a log cabin firefly habitat, making it a comprehensive space for hands-on experiences, recreation, and learning.