<Anchor> The



southern blue dolphin is a marine protected creature that inhabits the coast of Jeju, but a few have been confined in domestic aquariums. I'm back.



This is JIBS reporter Dong-eun Kim.



<Reporter>



The dolphin performance is in full swing in the aquarium.



This is Bibongi, the southern blue dolphin, a marine protected creature.



In 2005, when he was 5 years old, he was caught off the coast of Biyangdo and imprisoned in a tank for 17 years. It is estimated that he is over 40 years old.



This is the last southern bottlenose dolphin left in domestic aquariums.



Bibongi returns to her hometown Jeju sea.



The marine release was decided by the release council consisting of five institutional groups including the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, civic groups, and aquarium companies.



[Cho Seung-hwan / Minister of Oceans and Fisheries: A release technical committee with experts was formed and detailed diagnosis was carried out



. There are 8 southern bottlenose dolphins in total.


Enlarging an image

Starting with Jedol, Chunsam, and Sampal in 2013, 7 were released until 2017.



There were also concerns that they might not be able to adapt in the wild, but that didn't matter at all.



After completing training in the breeding tank, Bibongi will be transferred to a training center installed on the coast of Daejeong-eup, Seogwipo City, where they will undergo an adaptation process such as training for live fish and communication with wild animals.



Upon successful completion of the two-month adaptation period, it is finally released with identification number 8 and a location tracker.



[Jojogol/Marine environment group 'Hot Pink Dolphins' Co-CEO: We will not repeat our past mistakes of illegally catching dolphin shows and consuming the protected Jeju Southern Blue Dolphin as entertainment or attractions...

.]



It is estimated that there are about 120 Southern bottlenose dolphins inhabiting only the coast of Jeju in the country.



Although Bibongi returns to her hometown sea after 17 years, there are many challenges to be solved, such as designation of a dolphin sanctuary and an ecological corporation.



(Video coverage: Kang Hyo-seop JIBS, screen provided: Hot Pink Dolphins)