Yi Whan-woo is a Korea Times journalist primarily covering finance. He writes in-depth articles on macroeconomy and financial markets and previously covered sports, politics, diplomacy and inter-Korean affairs, among others. Feel free to contact him at yistory@koreatimes.co.kr.
Endangered flying squirrel spotted in hornet’s nest
By Yi Whan-woo
A baby flying squirrel was found surviving winter in an uncommon place.
The National Park Service said Monday it had discovered the squirrel in an abandoned hornet’s nest in a tree on Mt. Worak in North Chungcheong Province, which is bizarre given the endangered species usually make their homes in abandoned woodpecker’s holes.
“Finding the squirrel in a hornet nest was quite unusual and surprising,” said an official from Mt. Worak National Park, one of the 20 designated sites preserved by the country.
“The fact that the animal was a baby was even more interesting, as the parents usually take care of their young,” he added.
He said the squirrel seems to be spending winter in the nest as it is made of fiber and pulp, both of which provide warmth.
A flying squirrel has a body length of 15 to 20 centimeters, with a tail about 9.5 to 14 centimeters long. The mammal spreads legs to which a membrane is attached to “fly” from a taller tree to shorter one.
The herbivorous animal is hard to spot in Korea and is designated as one of the nation’s natural treasures.