ULSAN — Korea Zinc's (010130) Onsan Smelter has released giant water bugs, an endangered aquatic insect, at a pond in a city park in Ulsan as part of efforts to restore the local ecosystem and preserve biodiversity.
The smelter said on the 19th that it released 20 giant water bugs, designated as a Class II endangered wild species, at the Galtimot pond area in Ulsan Grand Park in Nam-gu, Ulsan, on the 16th. The release was carried out together with officials from the National Institute of Ecology, Little Friends in the Forest, a social enterprise, and the Ulsan Facilities Management Corporation.
The giant water bug is a major aquatic insect that inhabits freshwater ecosystems such as streams and ponds. Its population has fallen sharply in recent years because of habitat damage and environmental changes including water quality, making protection and restoration urgent.
Before the release, the smelter surveyed habitat conditions at the Galtimot area in late September, including water quality and the distribution of aquatic plants. The event went ahead after the company confirmed that the released insects could settle stably in the natural habitat. Starting with this year's release of 20 insects, the smelter plans to release 20 more giant water bugs next year to continue restoring the habitat in stages.
The activity follows up on a memorandum of understanding on restoring endangered insects and promoting biodiversity that Korea Zinc signed in May with the National Institute of Ecology and Little Friends in the Forest.
Under the agreement, Korea Zinc provides 50 million won annually to support the endangered insect restoration project. Combining the research expertise of the National Institute of Ecology with the field experience of Little Friends in the Forest, the project covers artificial breeding of endangered insects, development of breeding techniques, creation of suitable growing environments and conservation campaigns.
An official at Korea Zinc's Onsan Smelter said the release shows how cooperation among institutions can translate into actual restoration work in the field, adding that the company will continue community programs to protect endangered species and promote biodiversity and ecosystem conservation in partnership with expert organizations and the local community.