National Institute of Biological Resources
By Shim Hyun-chul
Staff Reporter
Many of us must have the childhood memory of running through the grass and trees to catch dragonflies, grasshoppers or cicadas after reading Entomological Souvenirs by Fabre.
The National Institute of Biological Resources in Incheon brings back these memories for adults and provides children with the experience of seeing Korean wildlife up close, with its impressive display of taxidermies. The institute exhibits 985 kinds of insects and animals native to Korea.
The nation’s largest collection of preserved mammals has 22 native mammals on display, including a wild fox that is rarely seen .
Also visitors can see a photo exhibition for animals on the verge of extinction, alerting people to the dangers of extinction for wildlife.
An oil spill in seas off Taean, South Chungcheong Province, devastated the marine ecological system and wildlife as well. What will become of nature and wild animals?
All can be seen in exhibition rooms at the institute where many road-kill animals show man’s ruining of the environment. The institute is open throughout the week, and it provides
a free guided tour at 10 a.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. on holidays.
Admission is free until next March. For more information, call 032) 590-7100, 7190, or visit www.nibr.go.kr