JBNU Professor Han Jae-ik (College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine) received a Presidential Citation on Biodiversity Day (Migratory Bird Day) in 2026. He was recognized for his contributions to biodiversity conservation through wildlife medical treatment achievements, the establishment of diagnostic testing systems, and efforts to improve and expand the domestic clinical care system.

Professor Han is responsible for the treatment and surgery of wildlife (including birds of prey) within the public clinical care sector of veterinary medicine. He has achieved successful release rates into the wild more than 10 percentage points higher than the national average and has developed comprehensive testing systems and clinical and diagnostic techniques specific to wildlife and exotic animals.

In particular, he was highly recognized for disseminating the testing systems and clinical techniques he developed, and for operating international and domestic training programs and hosting academic conferences based on them, thereby enhancing the expertise of professionals in the field of biodiversity.

Professor Han currently teaches wildlife medicine and exotic animal medicine at the College of Veterinary Medicine, JBNU, at both undergraduate and graduate levels. He also manages exotic animal clinical care at the Jeonbuk Animal Medical Center and the treatment of distressed wild animals at the JBNU Wildlife Center.

He operates the nation’s only specialized diagnostic laboratory for wildlife and exotic animals, and has established specialized clinical systems, such as avian ocular disease care and reptile bone density testing, applying them in practice to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes.

Professor Han said, "This award recognizes the field-centered efforts of the JBNU College of Veterinary Medicine and the Wildlife Rescue Center in building professional diagnostics and clinical care," adding, "We will continue to provide excellent care for birds, reptiles, and Korea's native wild mammals, contributing to an ecological society where people and nature coexist."