DMZ which has been uninhabited for over 60 years, is becoming the ultimate heaven for endangered species

Otter, class 1 endangerd specie

The demilitarized zone (DMZ), which has been uninhabited for over 60 years, is becoming the ultimate heaven for endangered species and plants that are gradually disappearing in Korea.
This is why the ecological value of the DMZ, the outcome of the war, is getting new attention.

According to the "DMZ Biodiversity Comprehensive Report" published by the Ministry of Environment and the National Ecology Agency in 2016, which collected the results of ecological surveys conducted in the DMZ for more than 40 years since 1974, a total of 4873 species of wild animals and plants were found in DMZ area.
The surveyed area, the DMZ, is 1557 km 2, which accounts for only 1.6% of the Korean peninsula, but about 20% of the total Korean peninsula species (24,425 species) live here.

In particular, a total of 91 species of endangered species, including 16 species of endangered wildlife class I and 75 species of class ll, were found in the DMZ area. Currently, there are 267 species of endangered wildlife on the Korean peninsula, which means that 34% of them are now endangered species that are concentrated in the DMZ.
In particular, cranes and musk deer were found to live only in the DMZ area. The researchers analyzed that "because of the restricted accessibility of the public for the protection of military facilities and safety reasons, they provided a stable habitat for wild animals and plants."

Following pictures are some of major endangered species that have been identified as living in the DMZ.

Endangered species Class 1 cranes



Endangered Species Class 1 White-tailed sea eagle



Endangered Species Class 2 serpent

Endangered Species Class 2 giant water bug

Endangered Species Class 2 gobiobotia brevibarba

Endangered Species Class 2 slender shiner