• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.69-74
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• 2006

The captive breeding biology of the Oriental white stork (Ciconia boyciana) was studied over 3 breeding periods. Both the male and female participated in nest building, but the male started to build the nest earlier and spent much time. Time used to build the nest was steadily increased to the egg laying. The copulations were observed $30{\pm}10.53$ (n=3) times in a breeding period. Both male and female incubated their eggs but the female spent more time than the male did. The chicks were hatched $32{\pm}1.29$ (n=6) days after egg laying. Not only the male but also the female took part in the rearing chicks. The male spent more time than the female as chicks grew. The results of this study are useful to assess the ecological soundness of the breeding pair and facilitate the breeding environment in captive breeding of the Oriental white stork.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.129-138
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• 2022

Reintroduction programs have been promoted across the world to recover and rehabilitate endangered birds through ex situ captive breeding and releasing to the nature. The ultimate aims of these reintroduction programs are recovery of sustainable populations in natural habitats. To ensure the success of the reintroduction programs, it is necessary to examine the followings in order to increase the success rate of releasing along with the development of captive breeding techniques: 1) Adequate habitat provision, 2) adaptability of captive-bred individuals, 3) survivability of released individuals, and 4) social interest and will. Before releasing captive-bred individuals, it should be reviewed whether there are habitats in which the limiting factor is removed, and assessed their long-term safety. The quantity and quality of the released individuals must be considered to increase the chances for mate selection, maintain genetic diversity, and acquire the ability to adapt to the wild. The release method must be decided in consideration of characteristics of the target habitats and individuals, and rational means such as careful observation, evaluation, and feedback must be provided throughout the release process. For the long-term success of recovery projects, social awareness, sustainable support, and related experts are needed. Satisfying these criteria can help to increase the success rates of reintroduction programs. For the bird reintroduction program in the future, the feasibility of the methods and procedures must be closely reviewed before starting.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.139-143
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• 2009

Most captive canids and felids at Zoos in advanced countries have been examined enough to apply artificial reproductive techniques to them. We investigated reproductive hormones and vaginal epithelial cells of a 6-year-old, female coyote, hoping these data could eventually be extended to artificial insemination with frozen-thawed conspecific semen at Seoul Zoo. As a relative of pet dogs, coyote exhibited a similar appearance with only minor differences. In vaginal smear, an increase in the number of superficial cells suggests that the bitch has reached a state close to estrus. A sudden decrease of estradiol and increase of progesterone is considered as a preovulatory event. Vaginal epithelial cells and hormones might be useful for determining the optimal time of artificial insemination in coyotes' breeding.

• Proceedings of the Zoological Society Korea Conference
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• 2003.08a
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• pp.135.1-135
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• 2003

No Abstract, See Full Text

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.917-926
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• 2022

The green turtle Chelonia mydas has been designated as an endangered species globally due to its reduced population. Although C. mydas is not known to reproduce on the shores of the Korean peninsula, it has been listed as a protected marine species in South Korea. This study describes the first successful captive breeding of C. mydas in a commercial aquarium in South Korea and provides information on the early growth patterns of C. mydas hatched and reared in indoor facilities. C. mydas YS-B003 laid a total of 594 eggs in ten nesting events in the period December 2016-June 2017. Of these, 115 fertilized eggs from six events hatched successfully. The size of the newly hatched turtles differed significantly among nesting events. The hatchlings from the 8^th and 9^th nesting events were relatively smaller than those from the 3^rd and 5^th events. The rate of growth initially varied across the different events, but from the 1,000^th day, the inter-group variation disappeared. The present study provides useful information for future captive breeding of sea turtles in indoor facilities, which would contribute to the protection of these endangered sea turtle species.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.247-258
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• 2021

To understand restoration and conservation projects conducted in Korea for endangered freshwater fishes and amphibians/reptiles, information about Request for Protocols-related studies on restoration, breeding, and release were collected. Trends of studies were visualized via word clouds and VOSviewer program using a text mining technique. Analysis of restoration projects for endangered freshwater fishes elucidated that most research studies conducted to date were focused on genetics and release through captive breeding that could be classified into captive breeding and habitat environments. As for research projects related to amphibians/reptiles, monitoring projects had the highest number, followed by genetic, translocation, and monitoring studies. In addition, restoration projects for amphibians/reptiles included a large number of post-capture translocation projects. Thus, many projects were confirmed by public institutions rather than by the Ministry of Environment. Network analysis revealed that it was largely classified into capture, translocation, and Kaloula borealis. Based on these results, limitations, achievements, and challenges associated with projects conducted thus far are highlighted. Research directions for future restoration and conservation of endangered freshwater fishes and amphibians/reptiles in South Korea are also suggested.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.10
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• pp.1473-1482
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• 2011

Adult male musk deer (Moschus spp.) secrete musk, a widely used ingredient in traditional Asian medicine and the international perfume industry. Musk deer are endangered due to historic over-utilization of musk and habitat loss. Musk deer farming, provides an important way of conserving musk deer and ensuring a sustainable musk supply. For over 50 years musk deer farming has been conducted in China with the endangered Alpine musk deer (Moschus sifanicus) the predominant farmed musk deer species. To date, few studies have examined the musk production of captive musk deer. This study analyzed musk-extraction data collected from 1997 to 2009 at Xinglongshan Musk Deer Farm, Gansu, China. The musk-extraction ratio (MER) of captive male musk deer was 90.30% (n = 732), while the annual average musk extraction (AME) per animal was $7.90{\pm}0.17\;g$ with the range from 0.00 g to 34.20 g (n = 732). The origin of the deer had an influence on AME and MER production, with male wild-captured (WC) individuals recording higher values (AME, $8.76{\pm}0.27\;g$, n = 272; MER, 93.75%, n = 272) than those of captive breeding (CB) males (AME: $7.39{\pm}0.22\;g$, n = 460; MER: 88.26%, n = 460). The origin of an individual's parents, however, did not influence AME and MER. Age also influenced musk production with the MER of 1.5-year-old males being 87.5% with an average musk production of $8.27{\pm}0.47\;g$ (n = 96). The peak period for musk production was from 1.5 to 8.5 years of age. The results of our study demonstrate musk deer farming could work as an effective measure to protect musk deer and provide sustainable musk resources, however, the musk production including MER and AME could be improved through optimizing the managing and breeding system in endangered musk deer farming.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.41-50
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• 2012

To determine the movement patterns, home range, and use of structural features of captive-bred one- or two-year-old Amur ratsnake (Elaphe schrenckii) juveniles in the natural habitat, we radio-tracked a total of 11 juvenile snakes in a mountain valley in Chiaksan National Park, South Korea, between August 21 and September 20, 2010 and between June 13 and July 13, 2011. During the first week of the release, most juveniles moved short distances, daily, but they increased their distances after the first week. The body weight of the juveniles was negatively related with the movement rate (dividing the number of movements by the number of relocations), which was positively related with the mean daily distances moved and the size of both a kernel 50% and 95% home range. During the study period, the juveniles moved daily, approximately 17 m, and the size of the minimum convex polygon and the 50% and 95% kernel home ranges were 1.8 ha, 0.4 ha, and 3.0 ha, respectively. The released captive-bred juveniles were more frequently confirmed underground or on the ground rather than on rocks or on trees. Our results suggest that the body condition of released individuals, the seasonal time of the release, and the existence of available prey and shelters in the habitat should be carefully considered when releasing captive-bred Amur ratsnake juveniles for the rehabilitation of field populations.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.406-413
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• 2023

Captive breeding and reintroduction are crucial strategies for conserving endangered species populations. However, fish raised in predator-free environments, show a lack of recognition of predationrelated stimuli such as chemical and visual signals. It is critical to recognize chemical signals from injured conspecifics, also known as alarm signals, and the order or shape of predators to indicate the spread of predation risk in the habitat. We conducted a laboratory experiment to determine and adjust the optimal exposure period to induce appropriate anti-predator behavior response to different types of stimuli (Chemical, Visual and Chemical+Visual) for the endangered species Microphysogobio rapidus. Our results demonstrate that predator avoidance behavior varies depending on the types of stimuli and the duration of predation risk exposure. First, the results showed captive-breed M. rapidus show lack of response against conspecific alarm signal (Chemical cue) before the predation risk exposure period and tend to increase response over predation risk exposure time. Second, response to predator (visual cue) tend to peak at 48 hours cumulative exposure, but show dramatic decrease after 72 hours cumulative exposure. Finally, response to the mixed cue (Chemical+visual) tend to peak prior to the predation risk exposure period and show reduced response during subsequent exposure periods. This experiment confirms the lack of responsiveness to conspecific alarm signals in captive-bred M. rapidus and the need for an optimal nature behavior enhancement program prior to release of endangered species. Furthermore, responsiveness to predator visual signal peak at 48 hours cumulative exposure, suggest an optimal predation risk exposure period of up to 48 hours.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.137-141
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• 2014

A captive mute swan (Cygnus olor) in the brooding period was found dead without any specific signs. On necropsy, the entire digestive tract was severely necrotized with loosely adherent pseudomembranes, and Clostridium perfringens (CP) colonies isolated from the intestinal contents were identified as CP type A by polymerase chain reaction. Microscopically, the intestine and the liver were necrotized and intralesional bacterial clusters were observed. In this case, there were no other mortalities, so the condition of a single bird, in particular, stress from incubation effort, could act as the predisposing factor for necrotic enteritis. In this study, we report a unique case of necrotic enteritis associated with incubation in a captive mute swan.