Over 2,000 wild dogs inhabit Jeju: study

Wild dogs are shown near a village on Jeju Island in this provided photo. Courtesy of Jeju Self-Governing Provincial Government

By Bahk Eun-ji

Around 2,000 wild dogs are estimated to live in the mountains and hills of Jeju Island, becoming the top predators on the island, a study showed, Tuesday.

According to a study conducted by Jeju National University's Wildlife Rescue Center on wild dog habitation of the island from April 1 to the Dec. 15, between 1,626 and 2,168 wild dogs are presumed to live in its mountainous areas, between 300 meters to 600 meters above sea level.

The rescue center defined a wild dog in the first instance as “a dog that was once owned by people but was lost or abandoned, and has come to live and breed in the mountains and fields.” The offspring of the animals are also defined as “wild.”

The estimated number of wild dogs is based on how many animals have been caught in the hills and mountains in the 300 meter to 600 meter range, and analysis of the environment in the areas connecting Mount Halla and the coastal lowland village areas.

The wild dogs have become the island's apex predator, not only attacking livestock but also posing a threat to hikers and residents in the area, according to the center.

In June of last year, six wild dogs intruded into a cattle farm in Hallim-eup, killing four three-month-old calves.

Wild dogs frequently attack livestock on Jeju Island. Between 2018 and 2020, nearly 700 chickens, 170 ducks, nine cows, five calves and one foal were killed by the predators.

Accordingly, the Jeju Self-Governing Provincial Government has been taking countermeasures since July of last year, such as installing traps in areas where wild dogs are often found. A total of 93 were caught in the second half of 2020 alone.

The center suggested that the provincial government take various additional measures including: preventing domesticated dogs from taking to the wild, implementing an animal registration system, promoting the adoption of abandoned animals and neutering the dogs. Another possible measure to reduce the wild dog population could be to designate them as harmful wild animals that can be hunted.