The Korea National Park Service released the result of a research, conducted for the last one year on the number and distribution status of mountain goats in Seoraksan, Odaesan and Woraksan.

For the research, the Endangered Species Restoration Center installed 155 CCTVs to find out the number of mountain goats, investigated their traces including excrements and analyzed their genes.

Among nine sections of Seoraksan, the center investigated four areas first including Heukseondong and Jeohangryeong and confirmed that at least 53 to 63 mountain goats inhabit the areas. The Center plans to investigate the rest areas next year and complete a habitat map of mountain goat in Seoraksan.

In the case of Odaesan, it was confirmed in 2008 that mountain goats inhabit two areas and additional five areas were confirmed as habitat by this investigation.

In Woraksan, where mountain goats restoration project began in 2007 by pasturing 10, the Center investigated their excrements and confirmed that more than 26 mountain goats inhabit by three groups.

According to the analysis of genes, genetic diversity among individuals was very low, meaning the fact that the mountain goats are endangered to be extinct if they are neglected. Thus, the Korea National Park Service plans to secure genetic diversity by crossing with mountain goats in other areas such as Uljin and Samcheok. Song Dong-ju, the head of the Endangered Species Restoration Center said the Center will make continuous efforts to restore mountain goats’ habitats by conducting research on their distribution and monitoring constantly.