Two Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins will soon return to nature.
The two dolphins, named Taesan, the male, and Boksun, the female, have been undergoing an acclimatization period in a specially installed floating cage in the waters off Hamdeok Beach on Jeju Island to get adjusted to their natural setting before being set free.
The two animals were caught illegally in 2009 and then were purchased by a travelling animal show that abused the mammals, forcing them to perform.
In 2013, the Supreme Court decided to release the animals back into nature. Born with a congenital deformity, and believed to be suffering from severe depression, however, the dolphins were not able to get back to the sea immediately. They were put under the protection of the Seoul Grand Park for a period of time.
Recently, a civic group raised funds for the two and filed petitions to help the dolphins return to where they should belong. As a result, the decision was made to set them free sooner than planned.
Taesan and Boksun were flown to Jeju Island on May 14 to undergo some adjustment training before being released back into the wild. At first, they seemed a bit inert, just eating dead fish stuck in the net. Boksun even had to endure the pain of a miscarriage. Luckily, great keepers and veterinarians took care of them. Thanks to their care, the pair was able to get back in shape and regain the capability to catch fish. They also started communing with other dolphins in the area.
On June 6, a group of about 30 dolphins were observed swimming around the net, jumping up and down. Among the group was Jedol, a dolphin that was illegally captured in 2009, like Taesan and Boksun, and who was set free into the wild in 2013.
“Taesan and Boksun have adjusted quite rapidly and it’s possible because they were placed in conditions that approximated the wild as closely as possible,” said an official from the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. “Their release time depends on how fast they get fully ready to go, but as matters stand now, we believe the time will be as early as this July.”
By Sohn JiAe
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos: the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Seoul City
jiae5853@korea.kr
The two dolphins, named Taesan, the male, and Boksun, the female, have been undergoing an acclimatization period in a specially installed floating cage in the waters off Hamdeok Beach on Jeju Island to get adjusted to their natural setting before being set free.
The two animals were caught illegally in 2009 and then were purchased by a travelling animal show that abused the mammals, forcing them to perform.
In 2013, the Supreme Court decided to release the animals back into nature. Born with a congenital deformity, and believed to be suffering from severe depression, however, the dolphins were not able to get back to the sea immediately. They were put under the protection of the Seoul Grand Park for a period of time.
Recently, a civic group raised funds for the two and filed petitions to help the dolphins return to where they should belong. As a result, the decision was made to set them free sooner than planned.
Two Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins, Taesan and Boksun, who were illegally poached from the sea off Jeju Island, acclimatize to the natural environment in a floating cage off Hamdeok Beach on Jeju Island. The animals swim with the natural currents of the ocean.
Taesan and Boksun were flown to Jeju Island on May 14 to undergo some adjustment training before being released back into the wild. At first, they seemed a bit inert, just eating dead fish stuck in the net. Boksun even had to endure the pain of a miscarriage. Luckily, great keepers and veterinarians took care of them. Thanks to their care, the pair was able to get back in shape and regain the capability to catch fish. They also started communing with other dolphins in the area.
On June 6, a group of about 30 dolphins were observed swimming around the net, jumping up and down. Among the group was Jedol, a dolphin that was illegally captured in 2009, like Taesan and Boksun, and who was set free into the wild in 2013.
The floating cage installed specifically for Taesan and Boksun is located about 200 meters off of Hamdeok Beach on Jeju Island, away from human contact. The conditions allow the animals to easily adapt to the wild.
A dolphin is spotted swimming around the floating cage where Taesan and Boksu acclimatize to nature.
“Taesan and Boksun have adjusted quite rapidly and it’s possible because they were placed in conditions that approximated the wild as closely as possible,” said an official from the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. “Their release time depends on how fast they get fully ready to go, but as matters stand now, we believe the time will be as early as this July.”
Being released on July 18, 2013, Jedol swims through the wild ocean.
By Sohn JiAe
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos: the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Seoul City
jiae5853@korea.kr
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