Seminar
Current Status of North Korean Wildlife

The seminar, held at Seoul National University College of Veterinary Medicine, was two hours presentation about wild animal conservation in North Korea by Dr. Bernhard Seliger, the representative of Hanns Seidel Foundation and a visiting professor at Witten/Herdecke University in Germany. Along with photos of North Korea and based on his experience in North Korea in terms of economic, forest, wetland, and biodiversity since 2004, Dr. Seliger explained North Korea’s wildlife conservation status and current problems.

In particular, while introducing constant cooperative work of HSF and related international organizations to preserve migratory bird populations and conserve wetland in North Korea, Dr. Seliger stressed the importance of international exchanges and cooperation with North Korea through wildlife conservation. During the Q&A session, students from SNU and wild animal experts participated and ask about the reality of mammals and birds of prey wildlife research in North Korea and the possibility of inter-Korean exchanges that can be done in other animal populations such as tigers. Dr. Seliger advised that rather than dreaming of direct cooperation between North and South, efforts should be put into action first, such as regional seminars and collaboration with international organizations.