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The stork, which was common in Korea until the 1970s, is now protected as an endangered species.

Although artificial breeding is being carried out and returning them to nature, accidents involving pesticide poisoning or traps continue to occur.



Reporter Lee Yong-shik conducted on-site coverage.



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stork is a first-class endangered species and designated as a natural monument.



He crouched down with his wings folded and couldn't stand up.



It was found in Taean, Chungcheongnam-do on the 25th of last month and was taken to a rescue center for protection.



I was suspected of poisoning with pesticides and administered an antidote, but the recovery is slow, so I open my beak and feed.



[Dahye Shin / Rehabilitation Manager at Chungnam Wildlife Rescue Center: My condition has improved a lot.

Yesterday, I was lying down like this without being able to keep my head down.]



It is estimated that he was poisoned with pesticides while trying to feed the young.



[The first wild release of the stork (September 2015): The first stork, the rhubarb flapped its wings toward the wild.]



It was born as a stork restoration project and has been breeding for 3 years in a power transmission tower after it was released into nature in 2015.



On the 12th of last month, a stork caught in a trap was rescued in a field near Cheonsu Bay.



One of the legs was broken by an object that was released last summer, preventing it from returning to nature.



[Kim Soo-kyung/Senior Researcher at Yesan Stork Park in Chungnam: I think we should make an effort to reduce pesticides without installing spears or traps.]



About 30 young storks hatched in the wild just this year, even in the harsh environment.



They went to Russia and China and returned after two years to breed successfully, and even the fourth generation of storks have already been born.



The number of places where storks build nests, lay eggs, and raise their young is as many as 10 in three cities and counties in Chungnam.



There are three more breeding grounds compared to last year.



To ensure that endangered storks can safely live in nature, protective measures such as expanding eco-friendly farming methods and strengthening poaching surveillance must be followed.



(Video coverage: Ho-Jun Choi, screen provided by: Chungnam Wildlife Rescue Center)