Eurasian otter by Nakdonggang National Institute of Biological ResourcesNakdonggang National Institute of Biological Resources
Ecosystem of the Demilitarized Zone
The Military Demarcation Line and the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) were established by the Armistice Agreement signed in 1953. Afterward, the Civilian Control Line was established in the area near the DMZ and in the west coast area.
Red-crowned crane by Nakdonggang National Institute of Biological ResourcesNakdonggang National Institute of Biological Resources
As human activities have been severely restricted over the past 60 years, the natural ecosystem has been well preserved. Beyond preservation, the once-damaged ecosystem has been restored, and it flourishes with high biodiversity now.
Steller's sea-eagle by Nakdonggang National Institute of Biological ResourcesNakdonggang National Institute of Biological Resources
It has high biodiversity of mammals and birds, as well as a high density of natural monuments and endangered species such as cranes, long-tailed goral, and otters.
Endangered wildlife' is a legally regulated term to protect animals whose population is decreasing due to natural or artificial factors. 'Endangered Class 1' has 60 species designated, and they are in imminent danger of extinction. 'Endangered Level 2' refers to 207 species that are designated and may become extinct in the near future if threatening factors are not removed.
Endangered animals inhabiting the DMZ and the Civilian Control Line (CCL) area: Armour leopard cat (Endangered Level 2), Siberian flying squirrel (Endangered Level 2), Yellow-throated marten (Endangered Level 2), Reeves turtles (Endangered Level 2), Lethocerus deyrolli (Endangered Level 2), and Korean tiger leopard (Endagered Level 2)
Among the endangered wildlife in Korea, animals currently confirmed to inhabit or winter only in the Minbuk area: (from left to right) Red-crowned cranes and white-naped cranes: Locally distributed throughout the country, but currently 98% of them are wintering in the Minbuk area
The area around the DMZ is 1,557㎢, which is only about 1.6% of the total land of Korea, but in terms of the number of species, it accounts for more than 24.9% of the species in all of Korea. Over the past 60 years, human activities and land development have been severely restricted, allowing the DMZ to keep a relatively well-preserved natural ecosystem. Here are five representative animals living in the DMZ.
White-naped crane by Nakdonggang National Institute of Biological ResourcesNakdonggang National Institute of Biological Resources
White-naped Crane
Classified as Endangered Species Level 2, Natural Monument No. 203, these are considered as an internationally endagered species. These are migratory birds that spend their winter in the DMZ.
Steller's sea-eagle by Nakdonggang National Institute of Biological ResourcesNakdonggang National Institute of Biological Resources
Steller's sea-eagle
goog_852837421Steller's sea-eagle is Korea's First-Class Endangered Wildlife and Natural Monument No. 243. It is a large surrey that is in endagerment globally.
Eurasian otter by Nakdonggang National Institute of Biological ResourcesNakdonggang National Institute of Biological Resources
Eurasian Otter
Habitants of the DMZ, eurasian otters are classified as Endangered wildlife Grade 1 and Natural Monument No. 330.
Long-tailed goral by Nakdonggang National Institute of Biological ResourcesNakdonggang National Institute of Biological Resources
Long-tailed Goral
Long-tailed gorals, a First-Class Endangered Wildlife and Natural Monument No. 21 also live in the DMZ.
Black star fatminnow by Nakdonggang National Institute of Biological ResourcesNakdonggang National Institute of Biological Resources
Black star fatminnow
The black star fatminnow, which is classified as Class 2 endangered wildlife, is a rare fish that lives only in rivers or valleys in Goseong-gun, the northernmost part of Korea.
