Spoon-billed Sandpiper, a critically endangered species, observed in the Gochang tidal flat for four consecutive years

Classified as a critically endangered species... Observation of 1 to 2 animals per year from 2023

(Gochang = Yonhap News) Reporter Kyung-jae Jeong = The Spoon-billed Sandpiper, a critically endangered species with only about 500 individuals left in the world, came to the mud flats of Gochang, Jeollabuk-do, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site.

Gochang-gun announced on the 4th that the Spoon-billed Sandpiper, which is designated as Critical (CR) on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List and Level 1 endangered wildlife in Korea, has been observed in the Gochang tidal flat for four consecutive years.

The Spoon-billed Sandpiper, which has a unique spoon-shaped beak, is a migratory bird that breeds in areas such as the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia and migrates to Southeast Asia to spend the winter.

During the long journey, we stop at the mud flats of the West Sea of ​​Korea to replenish sufficient nutrition and take a rest.

Since the Spoon-billed Sandpiper was first discovered in the Gochang tidal flat in 2023, one to two individuals have been continuously observed every year.

Gochang-gun is actively carrying out the ‘Gochang Tidal Flat Bird of the Month’ campaign to promote the protection of migratory birds and the importance of the tidal flat ecosystem.

Na Yun-ok, head of the World Heritage Department, said, "We will preserve the original environment of the Gochang tidal flat habitat without damaging it and create a world heritage site where humans and nature coexist through various birdwatching programs."