By Na Jeong-ju
Beware of squirrels when you drive on roads inside national parks.
The Korea National Park Service (KNPS), which manages 19 of the 20 national parks nationwide, said Thursday that squirrels were the most commonly killed animals by motor vehicles last year on park roadways.
A total of 702 animals were killed by vehicles inside the 16 national parks last year, down from 850 in 2009. Of them, 325 were mammals, 186 were amphibians, 143 were reptiles and 48 were birds.
About 65 percent of the mammals killed were squirrels, according to the KNPS. Frogs and snakes were also among the common victims.
A KNPS spokesman said some endangered species, such as wildcats and stoats, were also found dead on the roadways.
“The number of struck animals decreased last year as more wildlife crossings were built over or beneath roads and more warning signs for drivers were installed in the national parks,” the spokesman said.
“In particular, we are focusing on preventing roadkill on the mountains where there are more endangered species, including Jiri, Seolak, Odae and Sobaek Mountains.”
The official said drivers can hit an animal at any time of day. Especially, driving at night is dangerous for nocturnal animals because they see better in low than in bright light. When headlights approach a nocturnal animal, it is harder for the creature to see the approaching car.
“It’s important for drivers to reduce their driving speed at night. In the event of a collision, drivers should immediately report it to forest rangers so that the struck animal can receive quick treatment,” he said.
The KNPS plans to set up more crossings for wildlife animals. Currently, there are only seven such passageways in the national parks.
The infrared cameras installed at the wildlife crossings at the Jiri, Seolak, Odae and Sobaek Mountains showed about 1,000 animals of 40 species used the crossings in the past five years.
The crossing at Mt. Jiri is being used by such endangered animals as black bears and wildcats, while the one at Mt. Seorak is often used by otters and mountain goats.
Based on the study, the agency will build wildlife crossings at Sokri and Wolak Mountains, the official said.
It also plans to change the course of roadways near habitats at major national parks. It recently signed a contract with manufacturers of car navigation systems so that drivers can hear warning messages at 80 points on roadways where collisions often happen, he added.