It has been confirmed that thousands of animals that disrupt the ecosystem live in rivers and reservoirs in Korea. In a video released by the YouTuber “Biogama” on the 10th, there is a shocking image of dozens of red-eared turtles flocking to just one ball.
The photographer of the video said, “If you throw it carelessly, you win without a hitch. “How can I carry all of this,” he said, puzzled by the fact that far more objects were caught than expected. In particular, in the process of confirming the final statement, he expressed surprise, saying “It's the biggest ever” and “it's amazing.”
This capture was carried out as part of the annual red-eared turtle extermination content. Dozens of animals were caught in just a few hours as a result of installing a barrel using mackerel as bait in an area with a high spawning density. The biological encyclopedia said, “The number of individuals seems to be 500 to 1000 animals. When it comes to pups, it seems like there are a few thousand animals.”
Before moving the dozens of red-eared turtles he had captured, he explained, “It's illegal to move them alive because there is a risk of being released to another place even by mistake,” and “Unfortunately, I will dispose of everything according to the law and make them move.”
The red-eared turtle (scientific name: Trachemys scripta elegans) is an exotic species native to the Mississippi River basin in the southern United States, and is characterized by red stripes on the ears on both sides of the head. Since the 1980s, it is cheap and easy to raise, so it began to be imported in large quantities as pets under the name “blue turtle.”
The problem is that as they became adults, they grew in size and became difficult to raise, and indiscriminate abandonment continued. The number of individuals spread rapidly due to unauthorized radiation to rivers and reservoirs across the country.
The Ministry of Environment designated the red-eared turtle as an ecosystem disruptor in 2001 and prohibited import, distribution, radiation, and breeding. Unauthorized radiation or breeding will result in up to 2 years in prison or a fine of 20 million won or less.
The strongest survivor threatening native organisms...Helpless against the spread across the country
The destructive power of red-eared turtles comes from their strong viability and fertility. It is omnivorous and consumes a variety of food such as fish, insects, aquatic plants, snails, and earthworms, and survives well in contaminated water such as grade 3 to 4.
In particular, the number of individuals is rapidly increasing due to high fertility, which lays 20 to 30 eggs at a time, and the absence of natural enemies in Korea. As a result, native turtles and native fish, including a natural monument and an endangered species, are being pushed out of competition for food and habitats.
Currently, red-eared turtles are expanding their habitats across the country, including Gwangjucheon, Gyeongpo Lake, and Gunsan. It is estimated that tens of thousands of animals live in some regions, and it is difficult to control the population despite continuous capture and extermination activities by local governments and environmental organizations.
The red-eared turtle problem cannot be solved by simple capture. Individuals that have already taken root all over the country continue to proliferate, so fundamental measures are needed.
Experts emphasize the need for a comprehensive approach, such as improving citizens' awareness, education to prevent abandonment of pets, and strengthening ecosystem monitoring along with continuous capture activities.
This video vividly shows the spread of the red-eared turtle, a disrupting species in the ecosystem, and reminds us once again of the importance of managing exotic species.