noImage

멸종위기 ‘흑비둘기’ 치료 후 자연의 품으로
Near-extinct “black pigeon” cared and released to nature

야생동물구조센터, 월동지 경로 추적위해 가락지 부착 Animal center tags the pigeon releasing to wintering habitat

Jeju National University Wild Animal Rescue Center (Yoon Young Min, Director) rescued an injured black pigeon in Seogwipo last May (May 27, 2020) that turned out to be a near-extinct rare bird (Columba janthina janthina TEMMICK) 40 cm in body length and black pigmented, the largest among the pigeons found in Korea. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the black pigeons are on the red list of NT (Near Threatened) for international protection purposes.

The black pigeons have been often found in Ulleung Island during summer months.

The bird was first recorded as having been observed in Jeju Island during the Japanese occupation era in 1936. The bird was rescued from severe exhaustion due to the broken feathers and starvation when the JNU center took the injured bird for 3 months long recovery and rehabilitation before released to the nature (Beom Island area) this week.

Director Yoon said that black pigeons in Ulleung Island migrated to the Northeast Japan island (Okinosima Island) for wintering, but where Jeju pigeons winterize is not known and remains to be researched.