Reintroduced storks thrive on South Korea's west coast, 85 chicks born

A significant conservation success is unfolding along South Korea's west coast, where oriental white storks, reintroduced into the wild from Yesan, are establishing nests and raising young. A total of 34 pairs have successfully bred, resulting in the birth of 85 chicks, marking a crucial step in the species' recovery.

The monitoring results, released on August 25, 2026, indicate a strong presence of these storks in the Chungcheong region, which hosts the majority of the nesting pairs with 30. Specifically, Taean recorded six pairs and Seosan three pairs. The favorable wetland ecosystems along the west coast appear to be a key factor attracting these birds. Additionally, one pair each was observed in the Honam region, including Buan and Gochang in North Jeolla Province, and Yeonggwang and Naju in South Jeolla Province.

This conservation effort is spearheaded by the Yesan Oriental White Stork Park, which has been leading the restoration project since 2015 with support from the Cultural Heritage Administration. The park collaborates with the Oriental White Stork Ecological Research Institute at Korea National University of Education, where expert researchers manage monitoring and habitat conservation.

Choi Jin-kwon, an official from the Yesan County stork team, expressed optimism about the project's progress. He noted a substantial increase in breeding pairs compared to the previous year, which saw 24 pairs. The successful breeding now spans five generations since the initial release of wild storks. As of August 2026, the total population of oriental white storks nationwide has grown to 290 individuals, demonstrating the effectiveness of the restoration program.

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The number of breeding pairs of storks released in Yesan has increased significantly from 24 pairs last year, and chicks have been born up to the fifth generation from the first generation released into the wild.