Re-introduction of the Amur goral into Wolaksan National Park, South Korea

Summary

The Amur goral (Naemorhedus caudatus), Endangered in South Korea with roughly 700 individuals remaining nationwide and facing extinction within 20 years without intervention due to habitat fragmentation and genetic vulnerability, was reintroduced to its historical range at Wolaksan National Park by Korea National Park Service's Species Restoration Center, beginning with six individuals released between 1994 and 1998 to test habitat suitability and ecology. Continuous radio and GPS-collar monitoring confirmed the founding population of ten had grown by 2004, verified through fecal DNA analysis, prompting formation of a dedicated goral task force of biologists, veterinarians and local residents in 2006 and an advisory committee of specialists. Concerned about declining genetic diversity in the isolated, small population, the Center released ten more individuals sourced from Kangwon province in 2007. Ongoing monitoring has tracked home range and movement patterns via radio telemetry, documented mating, feeding and excretion behavior on infrared camera, and found South Korean goral occupy larger home ranges than their counterparts in Russia and Japan. Local residents have been engaged as honorary rangers to help control poaching, one of the population's persistent threats alongside continued habitat fragmentation and food-resource competition in localized areas. Major difficulties included habitat destruction, inbreeding risk from small founder numbers, and resource competition among concentrated populations. The project rates itself Successful, citing strong adaptation, population growth, and durable institutional and financial support for ongoing management.