Endangered mountain goats get 2nd chance at survival on Mount Songni

An endangered long-tailed goral / Courtesy of the National Park Service

Six long-tailed gorals, a critically endangered mountain goat species, were released into the jagged crags of Mount Songni National Park Wednesday, marking a crucial step in Korea’s ambitious decade-long campaign to reestablish a self-sustaining wild population in the center of the peninsula.

The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, alongside the Korea National Park Service, timed the release to coincide with June’s peak growing season, when fresh vegetation and abundant wild greens maximize the animals’ chances of survival in the wild. The group consists of two females and four males, carefully selected from national conservation centers based on genetic diversity and a proven readiness for the wilderness.

Known for their distinct backward-curving horns and remarkable agility on near-vertical rock faces, the long-tailed goral is designated as a Class I endangered species in Korea. The species has historically faced severe habitat fragmentation and illegal poaching, leaving its surviving populations scattered in isolated pockets along the country’s spine.

By releasing these six mountain goats into Mount Songni — a rugged, high-altitude sanctuary in central Korea — conservationists hope to bridge the ecological gap between established populations in the north and smaller groups in the south. The ultimate goal is to build a "minimum viable population" of at least 100 mountain goats in the park. Currently, Mount Songni is home to roughly 60 mountain goats.

"The goral is a flagship species that symbolizes the overall health of our mountain ecosystems," said Joo Dae-young, chairman of the Korea National Park Service, who urged hikers to stay on designated trails to give the newly released animals the space they need to stabilize their territory.

To monitor their integration, authorities have fitted each animal with a GPS tracking device. For the first 72 hours, specialized teams will conduct round-the-clock tracking to ensure the animals adapt smoothly to their surroundings. Afterward, tracking will transition to satellite data, automated camera traps and DNA analysis of droppings to map their breeding and movement patterns across the rocky terrain.

The initiative is part of a broader nationwide push that has successfully brought the estimated number of wild gorals across Korea’s national parks to about 600. By stabilizing and protecting these natural habitats, officials hope to ensure that the ancient species can firmly anchor its lineage in the country’s wilderness for generations to come.

This article was published with the assistance of generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.