Gimhae City, Gyeongnam Province Releases Storks at Science Center Opening
One Stork Collapses and Dies After Leaving Cage
Complaint Filed Alleging "Lack of Proper Animal Welfare and Safety Measures"
Following the death of one of the three storks released during the opening ceremony of the Hwapo Stream Wetland Science Center in Gimhae City, Gyeongnam Province, Gimhae Mayor Hong Taeyong, along with responsible officials, has been reported to the authorities. According to the Gimhae West Police Station on October 20, a citizen filed a complaint with the police against Mayor Hong, the responsible officials, a veterinarian, and animal caretakers, alleging violations of the Act on the Conservation and Management of Wildlife, among other charges.
One of the storks released during the opening ceremony of the Hwapo Stream Wetland Science Center in Gimhae City, Gyeongnam Province, on the 15th died, causing controversy. Photo by Yonhap News.
The complainant reportedly submitted the complaint on the grounds that the city of Gimhae failed to take appropriate wildlife welfare and safety measures during the release of the storks, which are classified as Class 1 endangered wildlife species, resulting in the death of one stork. The stork is designated by the Ministry of Environment as a Class 1 endangered species and is also classified as Natural Monument No. 199.
On October 15, Gimhae City held a release performance for storks as part of the opening ceremony. The storks included a male and female pair brought in from Yesan, Chungnam Province in 2022 for stork restoration, as well as a stork successfully hatched in March of this year at Bongha Field in the Hwapo Stream Wetland. The ceremony reportedly took place after speeches by the mayor, a member of the National Assembly, and other key guests.
However, immediately after the release, a male stork collapsed and was unable to fly after leaving the cage. Animal caretakers hurriedly moved the stork back to the enclosure for emergency treatment, but it eventually died. At the time, the storks had been confined in the cage for approximately one hour and forty minutes, while the outdoor temperature was around 22 degrees Celsius and the sunlight was strong enough that attendees used parasols for shade.
A photo of a stork flapping its wings in Taean County, Chungnam, to help understand the article. Photo by Yonhap News
The Gimhae Environmental Movement Association issued a statement asserting that "the storks were confined in a narrow box for about one hour and forty minutes while waiting for their turn to be released, and it is presumed that one died from exhaustion." The group further stated, "At the time, the temperature was 22 degrees Celsius, and in the case of a car, even if the window is left slightly open, direct sunlight can cause the internal temperature to rise to 30 degrees or more, making an enclosed space much hotter."
The statement continued, "The city, which is pursuing a project to restore the stork-a natural monument that disappeared from Korea in the 1950s-handled the storks in a brutal manner for the sake of the event, showing a lack of basic regard for life. The city must take responsibility for the stork's death, determine the cause and circumstances, and prohibit the use of animals as spectacles in all future public events."
However, Gimhae City explained that the cage was officially rented from the National Heritage Administration and was equipped with ventilation devices. The same cage was used to transport the storks for about six hours when they were first brought in, and both veterinarians and animal caretakers were managing the storks on the day of the opening ceremony.
A police official stated, "After assigning the reported case, we will proceed with the investigation according to procedures," adding, "We cannot provide further details at this time."
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