Leopard cat known as the top-level predator in Korea’s ecosystem was found to live in Bukhansan. Korea National Park Service (KNPS) announced on the 13th that it recorded a video clip of Leopard cat, Class Ⅱ endangered species, at the Bukhansan National Park for the first time.
The video clip of Leopard cat was taken at Uiryeong district in Bukhansan. The ecosystem of the area has been well preserved. KNPS shoot the video with 7 unmanned cameras. In 2001 when KNPS conducted a natural resource investigation, it concluded that Leopard cat would not be able to inhabit Bukhansan due to harsh environment. After continuous preservation project, however, KNPS discovered feces of Leopard cat in 2010 and now it successfully filmed the species.
Leopard cat has the smallest body among wild cats, preying upon mice or birds. It ranks the top-level predator in Korea’s ecosystem, but it is currently under protection as the s Ⅱ endangered species since the number of species drastically dropped
Uiryeong where Leopard cat was found is an uphill path between Bukhansan and Dobongsan. The access to Uiryeong has been restricted for 40 years for security reason since armed North Korean agents including Kim Shin-jo infiltrated into South Korea in 1968, so the natural ecosystem of the district has been relatively preserved well.
Since 2009, the number of visitors has been limited to 1,000 persons a day based on tour reservation system. In Uiryeong region where the nature is harmoniously preserved and used, endangered plant Abeliophyllum, rare species Miller’s thumb and Korea’s indigenous spices Silurus microdorsails are found to inhabit. The region also has a high ecological value with a wide range of mammal livings in such as Korean Hare, wild boar, elk, raccoon and weasel.
Choi Byoung-ki, Director of Nature Conservation of Bukhansan National Park Service, said that Uiryeong is the last shelter for wild animals in Bukhansan where over 10 million people visit annually. He added that KNPS will designate the area as a special protection zone and preserve the natural environment.