Two endangered flying squirrels found on the banks of the Taehwa River in Ulsan

It was confirmed that two flying squirrels, a natural monument and a class Ⅱ endangered wild species, are living along the Taehwa River in Ulsan.

Ulsan City announced on the 6th that it had recently confirmed through photos and videos that two flying squirrels were found living in a hole in a tree on a trail along the middle reaches of the Taehwa River.

The flying squirrel was first discovered and recorded in a photograph by natural environment interpreter Lee Chan-sook, who was passing by a walking trail around 2 p.m. on the 9th of last month, while examining a woodpecker hole.

Afterwards, photographer Yoon Ki-deuk, a citizen biologist, visited the site around sunset on the 17th and 23rd of the same month and filmed two flying squirrels going in and out of the nest hole.

Dr. Sang-Hoon Han of the Korean Peninsula Wildlife Research Institute, who checked the photos and videos, said, "The male and female flying squirrels usually live separately, but seeing two of them together appears to be a male and female for breeding. They breed once or twice a year, but since it is presumed that they have not yet given birth to cubs, there is a need to check whether they are breeding through continuous observation."

Flying squirrels are small squirrels with a body length of about 15 to 20 cm, and are characterized by spreading the skin membrane between their front and hind legs to glide between trees.

It is a nocturnal animal that is active from dusk to dawn. It was designated as a natural monument in 1982 and is protected as a Class Ⅱ endangered wild species.

In Ulsan, habitat has been confirmed in forest areas such as Seoknamsa Temple in Ulju-gun, Baenae Village, and the cypress forest of Cheonmasan Mountain in Buk-gu, but this is the first time a nest has been observed on a trail along the Taehwa River.

A city official explained, "The fact that flying squirrels were confirmed along the Taehwa River walking trail, a favorite among citizens, is good news that shows the ecological value of the Taehwa River," and added, "We decided not to disclose the specific location as much as possible to protect the habitat."

He then asked, “For the sake of wild animals sleeping during the day, please refrain from making as much noise as possible when passing along the trails.”