13 more female foxes released loose on Mt. Sobaek

13 more female foxes released loose on Mt. Sobaek. April. 10, 2017 07:11. by Mee-Jee Lee image@donga.com.

The Environment Ministry has released loose in phases additional 13 female foxes in areas around Mt. Sobaek from late February to April. Foxes are a Grade 1 endangered wild animal in Korea.

The foxes released are 10 female foxes that were introduced from China and the Seoul Zoo from 2014, and three that were redeemed from wild in January and February this year. The three recollected from wild are those that were recalled to replace their signal receivers, mated and had their pregnancy confirmed.

Including 13 foxes newly released, a total of 18 foxes are now on the loose in the wild in areas around Mt. Sobaek. The total fox count could surpass 30 this year given that three pregnant foxes will give birth to cubs, according to the Environment Ministry.

A total of 32 foxes were released on Mt. Sobaek from 2012 to 2016, but 13 of them died due to illegal hunting equipment, while seven were injured and redeemed.