The Korea National Park Service (KNPS) announces on Oct. 29 that it has succeeded in artificially breeding the endangered soanseahorse (소안 해마) by raising offspring collected from adult seahorses. Pictured is an artificially raised soan seahorse clinging to an aquatic plant. (KNPS)
By Hur SomEe and Lee Hana
Researchers have found a way to preserve the population of the soan seahorse (소안 해마), an endangered species that was discovered in 2012 on Soando Island in Wando-gun County, Jeollanam-do Province.
Since the discovery of the tiny species, scientists have been conducting research into the seahorse’s characteristics, ecology and behavior.
The soan seahorse has been classified as a vulnerable, red list species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). As such, the Korea National Park Service (KNPS) has been attempting to preserve the species by artificially breeding the mini animals.
Finally, the KNPS was able to announce on Oct. 29 that it had succeeded in artificially breeding the endangered soan seahorse by raising the offspring collected from adult seahorses.
The experiment was carried out with two pairs of male and female soan seahorses. Researchers were able to collect between 25 to 50 offspring from one male seahorse per month. The baby seahorses had a survival rate of 68 percent.
“We hope to release the artificially bred seahorses back into their natural habitat, and as a result, restore the health of the marine ecosystem. We want to make the seas surrounding the Soando Islands a haven for endangered species,” said Lee Gyuseong, head of the Dadohae Haesang National Park.
sehp91@korea.kr
