Crested Ibises donated by China safely arrived at Upo wetland, Changnyeong

The Ministry of Environment (MOE) and Changnyeong-gun announced that two male Crested Ibises (Nipponia nippon) donated by China have safely arrived at Upo Crested Ibis Restoration Center in Changnyeong, Gyeongnam on December 23 at around 11:00 p.m.

The two male Ibises are introduced from China under ‘MOU for Crested Ibis Protection and Cooperation between Korea and China’ signed by Mr. Yoon Seong-kyu, Minister of Environment of the Republic of Korea and Mr. Zhao Shucong, Minister of State Forestry Administration of the People’s Republic of China on June 27 for introducing China’s Ibis to Korea to enhance genetic diversity of Korea’s Crested Ibis.

Crested Ibis, an international endangered species, represents harmonious co-existence between the mankind and the nature as well as clean inhabiting environment. The bird is the representative species for biodiversity restoration in East Asia including Korea, China and Japan.

The two male Ibises are expected to enhance genetic diversity and increase the number of species in Korea. At the Upo Crested Ibis Restoration Center, the number of Ibises has increased by 26 thanks to a couple of the bird introduced in 2008.

After signing MOU, the two ministries held working-level meetings in Beijing, China. Based on trust and friendship between the two countries, the two sides reached an agreement on October 28 with Korea’s suggestions on the details including selection of Crested Ibis, quarantine, delivery method, etc. accepted by the Chinese side.

On December 19, the taskforce team visited Yangxian Crested Ibis Restoration Center at Shaanxi, China and made a final check of delivery plan and quarantine for Crested Ibis. After a donation ceremony at Xian Airport, China on December 23, the two Ibises arrived at Incheon. And the birds were transported to the Upo restoration center from Incheon with a non-vibrating truck.

Mr. Kim Jong-ryul, Director of Biological Diversity of MOE, said that the introduction of Crested Ibis will not only promote friendship between Korea and China, but also greatly improve biodiversity in the East Asian region. He added that the Korean people will be able to see Crested Ibis flying in the sky by the year 2017 in 40 years after the wildlife adaptation facility for Crested Ibis in the restoration center is constructed.

□ Photos of Crested Ibis