Posted : 2021-07-18 15:27
Updated : 2021-07-18 17:03
In this 2020 July file photo, National Institute of Ecology researchers release into the wild black-faced spoonbills they raised. Courtesy of the National Institute of Ecology
By Ko Dong-hwan
A black-faced spoonbill ― an endangered species of bird ― that was saved and raised by humans until being released into the wild at its birthplace in Korea has made a migratory return after almost a year. Experts said it has provided them with a valuable case to study further how to conserve the species.
Officials from the Ministry of Environment said on Friday that it is the first case ever where a black-faced spoonbill has returned after being raised in captivity and released into the wild. The birds were last updated on the International Union for Conservation of Nature s Red List in 2017 as endangered. In Korea, the birds are classified as a first-class endangered species, which is the class in the most imminent threat of exti