Hong Taeyong, the mayor of Gimhae City in Gyeongnam Province, personally apologized for the death of one oriental stork, a designated natural monument, at the opening ceremony of the Hwapocheon Wetland Science Center.
On the 23rd, Mayor Hong held a press conference in the city hall press room, bowing his head and saying, "I apologize for not being more attentive throughout the entire process of the event."
Hong Taeyong, mayor of Gimhae City, Gyeongsangnam-do, is holding an official apology press conference regarding the death of one oriental stork at the Hwapo Wetland Science Museum opening ceremony. Provided by Gimhae City
He explained, "On the day of the event, the temperature was 22 degrees Celsius and it was cool in the shade. During the approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes that the stork waited in the transport cage, no abnormalities in breathing or movement were observed. The release was conducted safely based on the comprehensive judgment of experts, keepers, and veterinarians."
He further stated, "The transport cage used was a verified piece of equipment employed by Yesan Stork Park, and there were no issues during the approximately five-hour long-distance transport when bringing the storks from Yesan to Gimhae."
Mayor Hong added, "The two storks that were released are currently observed to be adapting healthily. The remaining juvenile stork will be released using the safest method after consultation with relevant agencies."
Gimhae City plans to prevent recurrence by independently inspecting all procedures with external experts during future wildlife releases and transparently disclosing the results and improvement measures.
Additionally, the city will strengthen safety standards and checklists for all processes involving wildlife protection, transport, and release, clarify the roles and responsibilities of all related departments and agencies, and postpone any similar or related events until the improvement measures are implemented.
Plans also include mandatory regular training and simulation exercises for on-site personnel and officials, detailing response manuals for unexpected situations, and establishing a continuous consultation channel with local ecological animal welfare experts, organizations, and citizens.
Mayor Hong stated, "Our city is taking this matter very seriously. Through this incident, we are reminded once again of the value of life, and we will further strengthen the reliability and stability of the Hwapocheon stork restoration project."
He added, "In future animal releases, we will take this incident as a lesson and proceed by finding the best possible measures to enhance animal welfare and survival rates."
The Gimhae Environmental Movement Association and 'Lawyers Advocating for Animal Rights' are holding a press conference to report the death of a white stork related to the opening ceremony of the Hwapo Stream Wetland Science Center in front of the main gate of Gimhae City Hall. Provided by Gimhae Environmental Movement Association
On the same day, the Gimhae Environmental Movement Association and 'Lawyers Advocating for Animal Rights' held a press conference in front of the main gate of Gimhae City Hall, filing complaints against Mayor Hong, the responsible officials, and Huh Min, Administrator of the National Heritage Administration, for alleged violations of the Wildlife Protection and Management Act and the Animal Protection Act.
They argued, "Essential safety measures were not observed in the process of using a natural monument and endangered species for event displays and performances. The organizers neglected their duty to anticipate or prevent risks during the planning and execution stages of the event."
Previously, on October 15, Gimhae City released three storks as part of the Hwapocheon stork restoration project, aiming to symbolize the settlement of storks in Hwapocheon and the ecological identity of Gimhae as an ecological city, during the opening ceremony of the Hwapocheon Wetland Science Center.
The three storks consisted of two adult males and females transferred from Yesan Stork Park in 2023 and one juvenile born in Bongha Field, Gimhae.
The storks were released from their respective transport cages, but one male was unable to fly, collapsed, and died the same day despite intervention by keepers and veterinarians.
On October 22, the city, the National Heritage Administration, and Yesan Stork Park held a joint meeting and concluded that the stork likely died from stress caused by environmental changes.
Gimhae City is currently preserving and freezing the deceased stork and has requested a necropsy from the National Heritage Administration to determine the exact cause of death.
The necropsy will be conducted through a university veterinary department, and the results are expected to be available in about a week.
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