Busan-Raised Goose Completes Successful Round-Trip Migration to Russia

A remarkable feat of avian migration has been achieved by a Greater White-fronted Goose, affectionately known as 'Yeoreumi', born in Busan's Eulsukdo Island. The goose has successfully completed a round-trip journey between South Korea and Russia, according to the Nakdong Estuary Eco-Center.

'Yeoreumi' hatched in May 2023 at Yongin Everland and was moved to the Nakdong Estuary waterbird alternative habitat in October of the same year to undergo wild adaptation training. Last spring, tracking device data revealed 'Yeoreumi' flew approximately 2,300 kilometers, passing through Ulsan and North Korea, to reach Primorsky Krai in Russia. This journey garnered significant attention from researchers.

As winter approached last year, 'Yeoreumi' returned to Busan. Recently, with the onset of the breeding season, the goose has once again migrated north to Russia. This case is considered the first in South Korea where a goose born in captivity has successfully integrated with a wild flock and completed a migratory cycle.

Avian experts are hailing this as a major ecological success. They emphasize that it goes beyond mere survival of an artificially raised individual, showcasing a complete restoration of complex wild migratory instincts. Seo Jin-won, director of the Nakdong Estuary Eco-Center, stated, "The fact that 'Yeoreumi', who grew up in Eulsukdo, went to its native breeding grounds in Russia and returned to Busan proves how precious and safe the Nakdong River Estuary is for migratory birds."