Two dolphins that were illegally captured in a fishing net about two decades ago and kept in captivity on the mainland have been released back into the wild off the Jeju coast. Here’s Joseph Kim with more on (금등이) Geumdeungi and (대포) Daepo.



Report

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Hamdeok Port, Jocheon-eup

The Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins, (금등이) Geumdeungi and (대포) Daepo are jumping in the water.

They leap and successfully catch their last prepared meal.

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Geumdeungi and Daepo released back into the wild

As the staff open the gate of the floating cage where they have been training for adaptation to life in the open seas, the dolphins swim toward their home waters off the Jeju coast.

They were brought to the island in May this year from the Seoul Grand Park and rehabilitated for life in the wild for two months.

This follows the previous releases by Seoul Grand Park of (제돌이) Jedori in July 2013, and then (태산이) Taesani and (복순이) Boksooni in July 2015.

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Free after 20 years in captivity

All of them were illegally captured and used in dolphin shows.

(금등이) Geumdeungi and (대포) Daepo were caught in the waters near (금등리) Geumdong-ri, (한림읍) Hallim-eup and (대포동) Daepodong, (중문) Jungmun 20 years ago.

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Devil weed caused eye infection in Daepo

During the rehabilitation, devil weed hit and covered their cage and (대포) Daepo experienced eye inflammation.

But researchers have since determined that the two animals are now healthy enough to be sent back to the wild.

INTERVIEW
Yi Gyeong-ri / National Fisheries Research and Development Institute
We don’t believe the inflammation will seriously affect his life in the wild. Both dolphins can hunt. We’ll monitor them along with the other dolphins we already keep track of.
< 이경리 / 국립수산과학원 고래연구센터 연구사 >
시력은 보완적인 부분이라서 충분히 괜찮을 것으로 판단하고 있습니다. 물 속에서 사냥하는 능력도 이상이 없었고요. 남방큰돌고래 정기 모니터링을 하면서 금등이와 대포에 대한 추적조사도 할 예정입니다.

Animal protection groups welcomed the decision by authorities to free the animals from the water tank.

INTERVIEW
Jo Yak-gol / Dolphin Release Committee
Other dolphins, regardless of their species, should be released soon. Koreans now agree that Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins should be free.
< 조약골 / 돌고래 바다쉼터 추진시민위 집행위원장 >
다른 돌고래도 방류돼야겠지만 일단 남방큰돌고래 만큼은 쇼를 그만하고 바다로 돌려보내야 한다는 한국사회의 공감대가 형성된 것 같습니다.

However, about 40 dolphins are still used for show or viewing in aquariums around the nation. Especially, a local aquarium has a Indo-Pacific Bottlenose dolphin show.

Only seven dolphins have been released back to their home.

Greater efforts for their systemic protection and management should be made.

INTERVIEW
Gang Jun-seok / Vice minister, Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries
We’re working on revising the law to more forcefully regulate the poaching and illegal transport of dolphins.
< 강준석 / 해양수산부 차관 >
해양생태계 보호법을 개정해서 고래류의 불법 포획이나 유통을 금지하는 방안을 추진하고 있습니다.

The number of Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins living around the island is estimated at around 110.

[Reporter] Joseph Kim
[Camera] Hyeon Gwang-hoon

Everybody hopes the just freed (금등이) Geumdeungi and (대포) Daepo to adapt to the wild as soon as possible.

Joseph Kim, KCTV


Video: Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Seoul Grand Park