The Stork That Flew to Suncheon Bay After Removing Utility Poles

An endangered stork has appeared at Suncheon Bay. This is a change that has emerged after the removal of utility poles scattered throughout the wetlands. Suncheon Bay, known as a habitat for the black crane, is now welcoming storks, demonstrating the potential for ecological restoration.

In the past, utility poles for bird watching and observation were installed throughout Suncheon Bay's wetlands. The utility poles obstructed bird migration routes and increased the risk of collisions. They also served as platforms for predators to observe prey from above. To address this issue, Suncheon City initiated a large-scale utility pole removal project.

The work involved pulling out concrete utility poles that had been in place for decades and burying the wires underground. Although it was time-consuming and costly, Suncheon City did not stop the work. Biodiversity began to increase in Suncheon Bay after the utility poles disappeared. The visit of the stork has become a case that illustrates this change.

Mayor Roh Kwan-kyu of Suncheon stated that Suncheon Bay, where black cranes and storks coexist, showcases the image of an ecological city. The stork is an internationally endangered species that migrates between East Asia and only inhabits clean wetlands. This means that the wetland environment of Suncheon Bay has recovered enough to attract storks.

Recently, citizens from other regions who participated in a symposium expressed their intention to reference Suncheon's case in their ecological restoration plans. The Suncheon Bay model is gaining attention both domestically and internationally. Various approaches, including the conservation of stork habitats and research on black crane behavior patterns, are ongoing.

The change in Suncheon Bay, which started with the small practice of removing utility poles, is still ongoing. As the wetlands have recovered, endangered species have returned, leading to the overall health of the ecosystem.