South Korea Pursues Black Stork Reintroduction with Mongolia Partnership

South Korea is embarking on an ambitious project to bring back the Black Stork, an internationally endangered species, to its skies. The National Institute of Ecology (NIE) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Mongolia's Wildlife Science and Conservation Center (WSCC) to facilitate the reintroduction of this large bird, which has been absent from the country's breeding grounds for decades.

The Black Stork (Ciconia nigra) was last documented breeding in South Korea in 1965 in Gyeongsangbuk-do province. Since 1968, there have been no recorded breeding pairs, leading the NIE to declare the species locally extinct in terms of reproduction. While a small number of Black Storks, fewer than 20 individuals, are known to winter in South Korea, their breeding population has vanished.

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This year's second half will be completed by the non-detrimental assessment, and we plan to proceed step-by-step with domestic quarantine and international permit procedures.

The five-year agreement between the NIE and WSCC focuses on the joint promotion of Black Stork restoration projects. It also involves collaborative research into the distribution and breeding status of wild populations, as well as cooperation on administrative procedures for non-detrimental findings (NDF) assessments. NDF is a crucial scientific evaluation required under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) to ensure that international trade does not harm wild populations.

Following the agreement, a joint survey was conducted in Mongolia's Khentii province in late June. Researchers confirmed stable breeding conditions, identifying seven nests and observing 10 young storks. The NIE plans to complete the NDF assessment by the end of this year. If successful, the institute aims to introduce Black Stork individuals and establish the necessary infrastructure for breeding trials in South Korea by the first half of 2025. The Black Stork is a large bird, measuring 90-100 cm, characterized by its glossy black plumage, red beak and legs, and white underparts. It inhabits forest and river ecosystems and feeds primarily on fish.

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Based on the scientific review results, we plan to establish the foundation for introducing Black Stork individuals and conducting domestic breeding trials in the first half of next year.