Bat Report Bounced Between Four Agencies Before 119 Responded
What If It Had Been a Wild Boar or Stray Dog? Who Ensures Public Safety?
A bat was discovered in an office near Pyeonghwa Square in Mokpo, Jeollanam-do, but due to a fragmented reporting system, the informant had to contact four different agencies before the 119 emergency service was finally dispatched, causing confusion.
A wild bat discovered around 11 a.m. on the 21st at an office in Mokpo City, Jeollanam-do. Photo provided by the informant.
Wildlife experts pointed out that, although there are regulations outlining the responsibilities of local governments, fire departments, and rescue centers, this incident is a typical example of how the system fails to function properly in practice.
Around 11 a.m. on the 21st, after discovering the bat inside the office, Mr. A inquired about "response procedures" via an AI consultation service and was advised to report the case to either 119 or the Wildlife Rescue Management Center. However, when Mr. A first contacted 119, the response was to "call Jeollanam-do's civil complaint hotline at 120."
The 120 hotline operator asked about the location of the discovery and redirected the call to the Mokpo City Civil Affairs Office, which then transferred the call to the Climate and Environment Division.
The official at the Climate and Environment Division explained that "bat capture is basically the responsibility of the 119 emergency response team," but also offered to contact 119 directly to resolve the prolonged reporting situation.
As a result, Mr. A experienced a "ping-pong" between agencies: fire station → Jeollanam-do Provincial Government (120) → Mokpo City Civil Affairs Office → Mokpo City Climate and Environment Division → back to 119. About two hours later, the 119 rescue team arrived and captured the bat, bringing the situation to a close.
The current wildlife management system separates responsibilities as follows: ▲the fire department (119) handles cases where human safety is threatened ▲the Wildlife Rescue Management Center handles general rescues ▲the local government environmental department is responsible for administrative protection. However, experts explain that "although legal responsibilities are divided, the entry point for actual reports is not unified, so complaints end up circulating among multiple agencies, creating a persistent structural problem."
An expert in disaster and civil complaint systems commented, "The most important factor in animal capture is determining whether the situation is urgent or non-urgent, but there is no initial screening gateway for this. As a result, informants are forced to contact every agency themselves. If AI consultations are inaccurate or agency guidance is unclear, the confusion inevitably grows."
Local residents also point out, "We often have no idea which number to call, so confusion repeats itself," and emphasize the need for an integrated reporting system where 119, local governments, and rescue centers share information.
Mr. A remarked, "Although the uncomfortable coexistence with the bat was finally resolved, I wonder who would guarantee citizens' safety if the wild animal had been a wild boar or a stray dog," expressing concerns about potential future incidents.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
