With support from the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment and Jeollabuk-do Special Self-Governing Province, the Jeonbuk Wildlife Rescue and Management Center, operated by Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) (Director Han Jae-ik), returned to the wild two Eurasian eagle-owls and five nightjars on the 3rd after they completed rescue, treatment, and rehabilitation.

The Center said on the 4th that it released two Eurasian eagle-owls near Wibongsanseong Fortress in Soyang-myeon, Wanju County, and returned five nightjars to the wild near the Mireuksa Temple site in Iksan.

The wild birds released this time had been rescued across the Jeonbuk region after becoming entangled in field nets or losing their mothers. They received systematic treatment, care, and rehabilitation at the Center.

The two Eurasian eagle-owls were rescued in Wanju County and Jeonju City, respectively. One individual was found with its movement restricted after being caught in a field net on Daedunsan-ro in Gyeongcheon-myeon, Wanju County. The other was rescued in Geumam-dong, Jeonju, after losing its mother.

The Wildlife Rescue and Management Center immediately responded to rescue the individual. It provided age-appropriate feeding and flight training and prepared the bird for return to the wild so it could live independently.

The five nightjars rescued in Gimje, Imsil, Iksan, Sunchang, and Gochang were also all young individuals that had lost their mothers. The Center supplied food, continuously monitored their health, and carried out rehabilitation to improve their flight and survival skills so they could live independently in the wild.

The Eurasian eagle-owl released this time is a protected species designated as Natural Monument No. 324-2 and as a Class II endangered wild species. It is a representative large raptor that inhabits Korea and plays an important role as a top predator in the ecosystem.

The nightjar, designated Natural Monument No. 324-6, is a representative summer migrant that breeds in Korea. It is primarily nocturnal and is well known for its distinctive "sojok-sojok" call.

Before release, the Center comprehensively assessed each individual's health, flight ability, and potential for adaptation to the wild. It judged that they possessed sufficient survival capabilities to find food and live independently in the wild and decided to release them.

Han Jae-ik, Director of the Jeonbuk Wildlife Rescue and Management Center, said, "It is very meaningful that wild animals that suffered accidents in human habitats or lost their mothers have recovered their health and are returning to the wild. Moving forward, we will continue to do our best to provide professional treatment, care, and rehabilitation through to return to nature so that rescued wild animals can fully survive in the wild."

Meanwhile, the Jeonbuk Wildlife Rescue and Management Center rescues injured or stranded wild animals and provides treatment and rehabilitation support. It also continues to conduct education and public awareness activities to promote the importance of wildlife protection and ecosystem conservation.