The flower deer, which has seen a dramatic increase in population in island areas including Anmado in Jeonnam, will be designated as a protected wildlife species. As an invasive species, once the flower deer is classified as a protected wildlife species, its population can be managed through capture.
The Ministry of Environment announced that it will publish a legislative notice for 40 days starting on the 28th regarding the partial amendment to the enforcement rules of the "Wildlife Protection Act" designating the flower deer as a protected wildlife species. Protected wildlife refers to wild animals that cause damage to human life or property, as defined by the Ministry of Environment. Until now, a total of 18 species including wild boars, roe deer, rock pigeons, magpies, and rodents have been designated. Protected wildlife can be captured, including the use of firearms, with permission from local governments.
The Ministry of Environment noted, "Damage to crops and other property caused by abandoned flower deer in some islands, such as Anmado, and ongoing resident anxiety necessitated the development of countermeasures." It added, "There are concerns about safety accidents due to urban appearances in inland areas such as Sobaeksan National Park, Taean, and Suncheon."
The flower deer is an invasive species imported from Taiwan and Japan for antler collection purposes since the 1950s. Some of these have been abandoned in the wild, causing issues due to their strong reproductive capacity and the lack of natural predators in the country.
In particular, 10 flower deer that were pastured by residents in Anmado in 1985 have increased nearly 100-fold in 40 years, far exceeding the number of island residents by more than four times. These flower deer have traveled in groups, destroying the island ecosystem. They have hindered the growth of native plants by eating tree bark and new shoots indiscriminately, causing trees to die, and have not only consumed crops but also dug up ancestral graves, causing damage to residents.
As the damage intensified, residents filed a collective complaint with the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission. Subsequently, the commission recommended improvements to the system for handling livestock abandoned illegally, and the Ministry of Environment took follow-up measures to designate the flower deer as a protected wildlife species.
A reform of the system is also underway, including the establishment of penalty regulations for those who abandon livestock. A bill has been proposed to revise the Livestock Act to impose a penalty of imprisonment of up to one year or a fine of up to 10 million won for livestock breeders who abandon their animals.